Belgium’s National Institute of Radioelements (IRE) has produced molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) for medical use using irradiated low-enriched uranium for the first time.
IRN said in a statement that the LEU was irradiated in BR2, a research reactor at nuclear research centre SCK-CEN.
IRE said it has decided to switch from highly enriched uranium to LEU as a raw material for the production of medical isotopes because HEU is gradually being reduced in line with international nonproliferation goals. It said using LEU makes it possible to reduce the use of HEU and add to nuclear security.
IRN said in a statement that the LEU was irradiated in BR2, a research reactor at nuclear research centre SCK-CEN.
IRE said it has decided to switch from highly enriched uranium to LEU as a raw material for the production of medical isotopes because HEU is gradually being reduced in line with international nonproliferation goals. It said using LEU makes it possible to reduce the use of HEU and add to nuclear security.
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