Three employees from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) have been exposed to radiation at its nuclear medicine production facility in New South Wales, according to a 1 July report in the Mandarin.
The article cites an ANSTO spokesperson who said two employees received a radiation dose approximately two to three times above the annual dose limit, which is equivalent to a radiation therapy treatment. The incident involved molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is used to generate technetium-99m (Tc-99m). The facility was only licensed to produce the isotope in May.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mishap. A report is scheduled for release on 5 July, according to the Mandarin.
In the meantime, ANSTO cannot resume operations until the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) gives its approval.
