OTTAWA, Oct. 10, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) -- MDS Nordion, a leading provider of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, has received ISO 14001 Certification, an internationally recognized standard demonstrating commitment to environmental excellence. The certification, received for its Ottawa operations, provides assurance to MDS Nordion customers, regulators, and the community that the company has a sound environmental management system (EMS) and operating practices that meet stringent requirements.

"Receiving ISO 14001 Certification is a significant achievement for the company and our employees," said Steve West, President of MDS Nordion. "As an organization we are committed to being a leader and achieving world-class environmental, health and safety performance. This certification demonstrates our continued efforts to effectively manage and improve our environmental policies and practices for all of our stakeholders including the community in which we live and work."

The EMS has already enabled MDS Nordion to see positive environmental improvements. In 2006, the company retrofitted existing lighting systems to a more energy efficient alternative. This project is anticipated to result in energy savings of over one million kilowatt hours annually, the equivalent of providing electricity for 140 homes a year.

About ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is an international standard that was first published in 1996 and updated in 2004 and specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system and for controlling and improving a company's environmental performance. ISO 14001 follows the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" methodology including general requirements, environmental policy, planning, implementation and operation, checking and corrective action and management review.

About MDS Nordion

MDS Nordion (www.mds.nordion.com) is a world leader in radioisotopes, radiation and related technologies. MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS)(NYSE:MDZ) has more than 8,800 highly skilled people in 28 countries. It provides a diverse range of superior products and services to increase customers' speed, precision and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis processes. MDS is a global, values-driven life sciences company, recognized for its reliability and collaborative relationships that help create better outcomes in the treatment of disease. Find out more at www.mdsinc.com or by calling 1-800-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.

SOURCE: MDS Nordion

SOURCE: MDS Inc.

Shelley Maclean, External Communications, MDS Nordion, Tel: (613) 592-3400 ext. 2414,
E-mail: shelley.maclean@mdsinc.com