China has launched mass production of the radioactive isotope carbon-14 for the first time
The Qinshan nuclear power plant in Zhejiang province in China has for the first time mass-produced the radioactive isotope carbon-14. Now the country is able to independently satisfy domestic demand for this material, without resorting to purchasing it abroad.
This was reported in the China Science Daily newspaper.
The material says that the Qinshan nuclear power plant is now capable of producing enough isotope to satisfy all Chinese consumers. Carbon-14 is commonly used for scientific and medical purposes. It can be used to solve a wide range of problems – from detecting bacterial infections to monitoring water quality.
It is expected that about 150 curies of carbon-14 isotopes can be produced annually
- said the general director of the enterprise, Shang Xianghe.
According to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), which owns the power plant, carbon-14 will hit the market this year.
Previously, the PRC was entirely dependent on the import of this material from various countries, including Russia. It was also supplied by Canada, Australia and South Africa.
China's carbon-14 supply is almost entirely dependent on imports, the price is high and supply is not guaranteed
- the article says.
At the same time, an improved installation for the production of radioactive isotopes yttrium-90 and lutetium-177, which are also used in medicine, is being created in Qinshan.
Until recently, China had to purchase approximately 90 percent of its medical isotopes from abroad.
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