Chemical, radiochemical, and radionuclide purity of eluates from different commercial fission 99Mo/99mTc generators.

Seven 99Mo/99mTc generators (using fission 99Mo) obtained from seven different manufacturers were studied in 1984 and 1985 to test the quality of the eluates. We present the findings concerning the elution efficiency, radionuclide purity, 99Mo breakthrough, radiochemical purity, pH, and aluminium content of the eluates. One generator was overloaded with 99Mo by about 40%, while one generator had 99mTc yields of only about 80%. The eluates generally (although with some exceptions) exhibited a high and satisfactory radionuclidic purity and good radiochemical purity. The low-level determination of 99Mo breakthrough using a commercially available dose calibrator with a 99Mo assay shield indicated a misleadingly high 99Mo content. All of the eluates had pH values of between 5.0 and 5.5, and the aluminium content was always below the detection limit of 1 microgram per milliliter of eluate. The generators performed well and proved their capability of functioning as reliable sources of sodium pertechnetate Tc99m. In all cases, the pertechnetate produced met the requirements of the European Pharmacopeia.