Nuclear Science: DOE's Self-Supporting Isotope Program is Experiencing Problems

摘要

In response to your request, we examined the status of the Department of Energy's(DOE) Isotope Production and Distribution (IPD) Program. Specifically, we obtained information on (1) difficulties the program is having in operating on a self supporting basis, (2) the cost factors affecting DOE'S production of isotopes, and (3) domestic isotope customers' reactions to DOE's program. Medicine, industry, and science use isotopes as powerful tools for research and in practical applications. Isotope production and distribution have been a long standing mission of DOE and its predecessor agencies. DOE supplies both radiosotopes (unstable forms of elements that emit radiation as they decay) and stable isotopes (naturally occurring, nonradioactive forms of elements). DOE'S role in the isotope sales market has declined over the last 45 years. Currently, DOE generates less than 5 percent of total worldwide isotope sales. DOE reorganized its program m 1989 to centralize the management of isotope production and sales under the Office of Isotope Production and Distribution. At the direction of the Congress, IPD was to begin operating on a totally seif/supporting basis staring in fiscal year 1990.