LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP — PSEG Nuclear received federal approval Friday to produce Cobalt-60, a radioisotope used in cancer treatments, food sterilization and medical devices.
The company will produce the radioactive material at its Hope Creek nuclear plant on Artificial Island in Salem County.
Cobalt-60 is used in nuclear medicine for noninvasive cancer treatments, among other applications.
PSEG Nuclear is working with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to develop the radioisotopes.
The plant will add rods containing Cobalt-59 pellets to the reactor core. Under fission, the material will absorb neutrons to become Cobalt-60.
Hope Creek is only the second plant in the nation behind the Clinton Power Station in Illinois to receive approval to produce this material.
