Thursday, May 21, 2009

Get 'Em While They're Hot!



I pray that no one you know in the next 4-32+ weeks (yes... 36+ weeks!) requires a diagnostic test for: Cancer or Heart Disease, because chances are slim to none they'll get it, especially those in Canada, the US and other parts of the globe.

Not sure what this is all about...

Click here
or here
or here
or here
or here...
...pretty much just type in "Chalk River" into the News Site of your choice and you'll soon get the picture.

I work in the industry, and I have to tell you this; this is NOT going to be pretty. And IF, as latest reports are suggesting that the Chalk River facility might be shut down for as much as 8 + months then yes, cancer and heart disease in individuals WILL go undetected and it's possible that because of this some people will die un-necessarily.

YES there will still be some isotope out there, and some will get there tests but it's 40% of the global supply being divided by 100% of the demand.

I am by no means a scare monger, this is what it is, an aging Nuclear Reactor that supplies an estimated 60% of the GLOBAL demand for Medical Grade Radioactive Isotopes is offline with NO time frame available for restarting and of the remain 4 Reactors on the globe that provide the same Isotopes (sharing that remaining 40% of the global demand, one is currently offline and another is scheduled to go offline in July for 8-12 weeks for it's own maintenance...

I already know of one diagnostic clinic that will be closing it's doors temporarily as of Monday, and a couple others that will be temporarily laying off employees (as was the case in December 2007) And if this goes on, to the length as is being mentioned than many others will be the same boat, and could in all likelihood include the company I work for...

...and of all these layoffs - temporary or otherwise, the fear,the unknown of this reality pales in comparison to ANYONE that will have to have their tests postponed.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why would so many sources "shut down" for maintenance all at the same time, leaving only, what?, the Netherlands in operation, which won't be able to provide for the global demand.

Someone is behind this one. Ohhhhhh yes, it reeks of manipulation.

Sean Newbury said...

Aging facilities, insufficient maintenance and upkeep, goverenmy interference... keep in mind Chalk River was down for about a month Nov-Dec 2007 and was reopened BEFORE mainenance could be completed because Harper fired the Regulatory Commissioner (appointed by the Liberals... so that was good enough reason for him, as opposed to understanding the NEED for the completion of the maintenance - Even though hospitals were desperate for the isotope they KNEW this was the time for the fix and it was happening during the Christmas holidays when some departments are closed and or you can't get people to come in for tests because they want to be home)

When you speak of manipulation etc yea, the main supplier (MDS-Nordion) fed by Chalk River is also, as they renew their contracts with the companies (that turn the Moly into usable isotope for injection)they are increasing the cost 3x - 4x ... since they hold a monopoly share of the world supply... guess what...