Chalk River can meet possible isotope shortfall: AECL
It emerged that a nuclear reactor in the Netherlands that produces a percentage of isotopes for medical use in Canada has been temporarily shut down.
All five reactors around the world that make the isotopes – including the one at Chalk River – are currently offline for unrelated reasons.
About 20 per cent of Canada's medical isotopes come from overseas.
Dale Coffin of the AECL says if a shortfall occurs, the Chalk River facility can ramp up production to meet Canadian needs.
Chalk River, which supplies about 80 per cent of Canada's medical isotopes, is undergoing scheduled maintenance but is expected to be back up and running by August 29.
Related News

EV Sales Still Behind Gas Cars
SEATTLE - Sales of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. are continuing to trail behind traditional gas-powered vehicles in 2024, despite significant advancements in automotive technology and growing public awareness of environmental concerns. While the electric vehicle market has seen steady growth over the past few years, the gap between EVs and gasoline-powered cars remains wide.
In 2024, hybrid and electric vehicles are projected to account for roughly 10-15% of total car sales in the U.S., a figure that, though significant, still lags far behind the sales of gas-powered vehicles. Analysts point to several factors contributing to this…