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TOMSK, Jun 22 – RIA Tomsk. Scientists of the
Institute of Physics and Technology of Tomsk Polytechnic University (IPT TPU)
developed installation for non-waste production of technetium-99m – one of the
most demanded isotopes in medicine; the generator reduces the cost of isotope
obtaining and solves the problem of waste disposal, the TPU press service
reports on Thursday.
It is specified that
technetium-99m – is the radioactive isotope, actively used in medical
diagnostics. It is obtained from the decay products of another radioisotope – molybdenum-99,
which is formed during the fission of uranium-235, this process leads to
formation of a large volume of radioactive waste. The scientists of the IPT TPU
developed a technology for its production from molybdenum-98, which excludes
the emergence of waste.
"To solve the problem
(the emergence of radioactive waste – Ed.), polytechnicians receive
molybdenum-99 not from uranium, but from enriched molybdenum-98, which is
irradiated at the research reactor IRT-T TPU. Therefore, there are arise no
other radioactive elements", – says the press service of the university.
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It is added that the next
stage of the work of scientists was the development of installation for the
non-waste production of technetium-99m directly in medical institutions. To do
this, scientists created a compact sorption generator in a protective lead
shell with saline as an isotope carrier. For each medical institution it's own
generator is made.
"Our technology allows to
regenerate molybdenum-98 from waste generators and liquid radioactive waste and
return it to production. Its quality by chemical impurities even exceeds the
original product. Thus, the manufacturer uses it to the last milligram with the
efficiency of more than 95%", – the press service quotes the employee of
the IPT TPU laboratory No. 31 Evgeny Nesterov.
The press service noted that
the TPU – is one of the three scientific institutions of Russia engaged in the
production of technetium generators. Except TPU, such production is available
at the Karpov Physicochemical Scientific-Research Institute and the Leipunsky
Institute of Physics and Power Engineering in Obninsk.