Development of the Radioisotope Program in Taiwan

Abstract

The radioisotope program in INER (Institute of Nuclear Energy Research) began in October 1972, when the conceptual design of the radioisotope laboratory was started. Construction of the laboratory building was carried out from 1973 to 1976. The main production facility such as lead cells for y-radioisotopes and air-tight grove boxes for B-radioisotopes were accomplished in the summer of 1977. Finally, the clean room for radiopharmaceutical preparation was established in early 1979. After a period of performance test, the INER radioisotope laboratory began to produce and supply its radioisotope products for domestic users from 1980. Today INERis ready for production of more than twenty kinds of radionuclides such as 3H, 18F, 24Na, 32P, 35S, 36Cl, 42K, 51Cr, 59Fe, 60Co, 64Cu, 65Zn, 82Br, 86Rb, 131I, 152Eu, 192Ir, 198Au, 197,203Hg, and sterile generators of 99mTc and 113mIn for domestic applications to promote the peaceful uses of atomic energy in Taiwan Area. Now, except 131I which is also being produced in National Tsing-Hua University, INER is almost the sole supplier in Taiwan.