Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and Regional Role in Isotope Production, Education and Training

Abstract. The Finnish TRIGA reactor, FiR 1, has been in operation since 1962. From its early days the reactor created versatile research to support both the national nuclear program as well as generally the industry and health care sector. The volume of neutron activation analysis was impressive in the 70’s and 80’s. In the 1990’s a BNCT treatment facility was build at the FiR 1 reactor. The treatment environment is of world top quality after a major renovation of the whole reactor building in 1997. Over one hundred patient irradiations have been performed since May 1999. FiR 1 is one of the few facilities in the world providing this kind of treatments. Due to the BNCT project FiR 1 has become an important research and education unit for medical physics. Education and training play also a role at FiR 1 in the form of university courses and training of nuclear industry personnel. Isotopes for tracer studies are produced normally twice a week. The reactor is operated by four reactor operators and five shift supervisors; this in addition to their work as research scientists or research engineers. 1