Economic Impacts of Establishing a Neutron Source Facility in Windsor

Cancer poses a significant health challenge in Canada, with two in five individuals likely to develop the disease. This paper explores the economic impacts of establishing a prototype compact accelerator-based neutron source (PC-CANS) facility in Windsor that will produce medical isotopes locally in Windsor, Ontario, rather than relying on centralized production and transportation from London, Ontario. Fluorine-18 medical isotopes, crucial for positron emission tomography (PET) scans, experience significant decay losses during transportation due to their short half-life of 109.8 minutes, increasing costs and restricting availability. Using a differential analysis approach, the study quantifies economic benefits, focusing on three main impacts: transportation cost elimination, reduction in decay-induced production losses, and advancements in cancer treatment and research, particularly through Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Findings indicate that, over a 30-year lifespan, local production is projected to save Windsor Regional Hospital approximately CAD 2.88 million in transportation costs, generate gains from reduced decay-induced production losses of CAD 21.25 million, and enhance cancer treatment and research through BNCT, resulting in a cumulative benefit of CAD 4.86 million. With an initial investment of CAD 10 million, total economic benefits are estimated at CAD 28.98 million over 30 years, positioning Windsor’s neutron source facility as a valuable model for other smaller Canadian cities.