Isotope supplies in Canada and around the world. The shutdown of the Chalk River nuclear reactor leaves a void in radioactive isotope supply for medical research in Canada. Other research reactors will be consulted and a determination made in the Fall of this year. Radioactive iosotopes are used to diagnose illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Raitt said that she would be working with the United States because, she said, they use many more isotopes than Canada, yet the United States has no reactors to produce their own supply of radioactive isotopes. She also stated that she had already communicated with four countries that have nuclear reactors producing isotopes, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and the Netherlands. Raitt expressed concern that, even though there may be reactors that produce radioactive isotopes in those countries, there is no guarantee that they won't be shut down for maintenance or other reasons. Raitt stated that a"New, more robust supply chain must be established." This issue is not isolated to Canada. The world's supply of radioactive isotopes for medical research has been diminished by 20% with the shut down of Canada's Chalk River reactor.
Raitt said that it is important to look at the problem as one of North America and not continue to rely on the "five aging reactors in the world..." which produce radioactive isotopes. And what of the Chalk River Power Plant? It remains licensed until the end of October 2011, but, asked if NRU may get up and running again Raitt wouldn't answer. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. said the 15-metre aluminum vessel housing the reactor must be inspected thoroughly and a determination made as to whether it would ever work again. Engineers who have worked on the Chalk River power plant believed that it would be out of commission for eight months or more and whether or not it will work again remains to be seen.
Chalk River is not only all about radioactive isotopes, it's said - There's research on nuclear fuels and nuclear waste management that is being conducted there. The level of research that is currently being conducted on nuclear waste management is enormous and the question of the other reactor's capacity to fill the world's need for similar materials is being considered. Chalk River has played a key role in providing critical material for research involving radioactive materials. If the plant remains shutdown and does not reopen a new supply will have to be found. Even if the plant is allowed to continue to operate the license expires in the near future and a new source will have to be found at that time.
