Radiation-induced defects as illustrated by the 81Rb-81mKr target system

The preparation of cyclotron-produced radionuclides for incorporation into clinically useful diagnostic agents requires special attention to quality control determinations. Of particular concern is the paucity of data on the toxicity of those chemical contaminants produced within the target during the bombardment and subsequent radiation cooling as well as those arising from materials used in the handling and construction of targets. At Mount Sinai Cyclotron Facility, a krypton-rubidium targetry system has been in use for five years. Consequently we shall use this targetry and generator system as an illustration of the problems created when such unexpected chemical moieties are encountered. The chemical species apparently formed by radiolytic processes as well as their effects on the chemical processing of the diagnostic agent are presented.