Canada reactor slows cancer tests

[Praxius]

Well this news is actually a few days old here in Canada, but I imagine it's starting to be felt around the world by now:



BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada reactor slows cancer tests

Thousands of cancer patients around the world face long delays in tests because a nuclear reactor in Canada supplying radioisotopes has been shut down. Doctors have described the shortage of medical nuclear material as "potentially catastrophic". The Chalk River reactor, in Ontario, was closed two weeks ago for scheduled maintenance which has now been prolonged until early or mid-January. The reactor supplies two-thirds of the world's medical isotopes to hospitals. Safety standards The isotopes are injected as a radioactive dye into patients with cancer or other diseases to allow doctors to take detailed scans. Thousands of patients in Canada, the United States and other countries have had vital tests postponed because of the shortage. "Last week, I guess you could describe it as struggling," said Dr Chris O'Brien, president of the Ontario Association of Nuclear Medicine. "This week it's devastating, and next week potentially catastrophic." The head of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission said the government-run reactor was violating safety standards. The sudden shutdown has created problems for MDS Nordion, the medical supply company which sells much of Chalk River's output. The company said it anticipates a return to full production in early to mid-January. In the meantime, company officials said it was looking for other sources of supply for the radioisotopes. The isotopes cannot be stockpiled because they have a short shelf life.

A shelf life of 8 hours I believe... so when something does happen, it's a little short for time to actually give a heads up to everybody.

A few additional companies have said they will try and pick up the lag, but most predict that won't be able to happen until sometime mid febuaray.

So fo those who need scans for cancer and such, you're gonna be waiting for a while.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Praxius Well this news is actually a few days old here in Canada, but I imagine it's starting to be felt around the world by now: BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada reactor slows cancer tests A shelf life of 8 hours I believe... so when something does happen, it's a little short for time to actually give a heads up to everybody. A few additional companies have said they will try and pick up the lag, but most predict that won't be able to happen until sometime mid febuaray. So fo those who need scans for cancer and such, you're gonna be waiting for a while.

It's time to come up with an equally effective non-radioactive dye.

[Praxius]

Quote by: Chancellor It's time to come up with an equally effective non-radioactive dye.

What would you suggest as a substitute? The only other Dyes I know of is har and food colouring, but I don't think they work the same way.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Praxius What would you suggest as a substitute? The only other Dyes I know of is har and food colouring, but I don't think they work the same way.

I said it's time to come up with... This means it's time to INVENT an equally effective non-radioactive alternative.

[Zeebadee]

This news is bound to stimulate competition from other sources. I'm sure that Chalk River isn't the only reactor capable of making these products. Screw the customers and they'll take their business someplace else.

[Praxius]

Quote by: Chancellor I said it's time to come up with... This means it's time to INVENT an equally effective non-radioactive alternative.

I know what you said.... what better way to start this idea of your's, then to start thinking of ideas. Why wait for scientists?

It was a pro-active question

[Praxius]

Quote by: Zeebadee This news is bound to stimulate competition from other sources. I'm sure that Chalk River isn't the only reactor capable of making these products. Screw the customers and they'll take their business someplace else.

That's the problem.... Canada isn't just the largest exporter of Uranium for the planet, but most of the world also relies on us for these isotopes (responsible for 2/3's of the worlds needs from this reactor alone.) Not too many other companies/countries have our resources to match, which is why it's a big problem that this plant shut down as it did.... there's not much of an effective backup plan from anybody else.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Praxius I know what you said.... what better way to start this idea of your's, then to start thinking of ideas. Why wait for scientists? It was a pro-active question

Perhaps some means of utilizing phosphorus could work?

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: Praxius ... there's not much of an effective backup plan from anybody else.

If there's any profit in it, there soon will be.

[Praxius]

Quote by: Zeebadee If there's any profit in it, there soon will be.

True, but they also have to have the proper resources to meet the demand.

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: Praxius True, but they also have to have the proper resources to meet the demand.

Are you saying that there's something so special about Canada's reactor that others can't duplicate it's processes?