TABLE 3.4Typical Process Times for Mo-99 and Tc-99m Supply Chains

Process stepsTypical process times (hr)
U-235 target irradiation and cooling130–168
(5–7 days)
Shipping and processing of target to extract Mo-996–28
Mo-99 packaged and shipped6–12
Tc-99m generator prepared and packaged12
Tc-99m generator shipped1–24
Tc-99m generator used by hospital or radiopharmacy168–336
(7–14 days)

From: 3, Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m Supply

Cover of Medical Isotope Production without Highly Enriched Uranium
Medical Isotope Production without Highly Enriched Uranium.
National Research Council (US) Committee on Medical Isotope Production Without Highly Enriched Uranium.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009.
Copyright 2009 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

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