House Energy Leaders Concerned About Russian Isotope Supply
The leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the Government Accountability Office to produce a report on radioactive isotopes used in industrial applications and cancer treatment, many of which come from Russia.
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"Americans could face unforeseen impacts caused by disruptions in imports of isotopes, given the lack of insight and influence the United States has on the production processes in countries like Russia. China, too, has emerged as a new global supplier of stable isotopes, positioning the United States for even further foreign reliance to keep Americans healthy and safe," wrote Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Frank Pallone, D-N.J., the chairwoman and ranking member of the committee, respectively.
They asked the GAO to examine what risks exist in the isotope supply chain, what the federal government is working on to mitigate those risks, and which isotopes are produced domestically "and to what extent are these production activities aligned with current and projected needs of U.S. commercial, medical, national security, and research entities?"