Less than two weeks ago, it shut down production of the radioisotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), the parent isotope of technetium-99m, which is used in about 80% of nuclear scans.

“We have four teams working in parallel to progress options to rectify the issue, and a fifth in daily contact with international partners to source medicine from overseas,” an ANSTO spokesperson said.

“In terms of progress, we are currently removing irradiated material from inside what is known as a dissolution cell [at the Lucas Heights facility]. 

Related news: