The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisations (ANSTO) social commitment to all Australians was underlined today with the announcement that a radiotherapy calibration facility had reached operational status.
The work of the unit includes the calibration of instruments used to monitor the radiation dose that patients receive during cancer treatment. Accurate calibration of the instrument is critical for effective treatment as well as patient's safety.
With this facility, called the Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL), now in operation, ANSTO is poised to join the international network of International Atomic Energy Agency/World Health Organisation dosimetry laboratories.
The SSDL uses an Eldorado tele-therapy unit originally built by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd and refurbished by ANSTO scientists. The unit, housed in a dedicated laboratory at ANSTOs Lucas Heights site, operates with a 150TBq Co-60 source.
Initially the SSDL will calibrate therapy level radiation dose rates (ie thimble ion chambers) for New South Wales hospitals. This facility will provide an interface between the primary standard and the users, significantly reducing the waiting time.
Calibration of radiotherapy instruments is essential; it allows a high standard of control of radiation doses given to patients in therapy and provides legal traceability to the primary standard held by the Australian Reactor Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The SSDL is linked with similar laboratories around the world and carries out regular intercomparison measurements.
ANSTO's SSDL facility will commence operations with a series of calibrations for its stakeholder and partner, Westmead Hospitals Radiotherapy Department.