The double whammy of simultaneous nuclear reactor shutdowns in South Africa and Australia is expected to cause a significant shortage of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) in the first half of November, according to an alert issued by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
Despite having temporarily returned to service this past February, NTP Radioisotopes' Pelindaba nuclear facility in South Africa is again offline. NTP is one of the world's four major Mo-99 suppliers and has been dealing with production issues at its reactor since late last year.
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) is another major Mo-99 producer and supplier. Its Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor in Lucas Heights, outside of Sydney, went offline on October 29 for the start of a planned 11-day shutdown for maintenance.
In the meantime, the SNMMI is encouraging Mo-99 users to contact their generator/nuclear pharmacy providers for advice about their local situation.
