We are finally seeing action from the US government to address the molybdenum-99 shortage. Congressmen Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.), have introduced a bill to authorize $163 million over five years to create a domestic source of the medical imaging isotope. Unfortunately, the funding comes too late to ameliorate the current situation, but hopefully production will begin soon enough to prevent future shortages.
The bill also, due to weapons proliferation concerns, will phase out the export of highly enriched uranium for the production of medical isotopes. The press release cites a study from the National Academy of Sciences showing that production of Mo-99 using low enriched uranium is technically feasible and that switching would not involve tremendous cost.
Considering the magnitude of numbers that are being thrown around in Washington these days, a little over $30 million a year hopefully won’t raise any eyebrows. Biting the bullet and switching to LEU production will lead to greater reliability in supply for Mo-99 without the attending proliferation uncertainties.
[Hat tip to auntminnie.com]
