Radioisotope Products and Radiation Technology Section

Our work

To improve Member State capabilities in the production and use of radioisotope products for supporting the management of cancer and other chronic diseases.

To take the full advantage of the benefits that these radioactive products can offer, it is essential to have the necessary infrastructure as well as qualified trained personnel. The IAEA, through the Nuclear Applications Programme, strives to promote worldwide availability of products and facilities needed to extend the benefits of radioisotope products and radiation technology to large segments of the population of developing Member States. In particular, the IAEA helps Member States to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, strengthen quality assurance practices and regulatory compliance and facilitates development of human resources. The IAEA's multi-pronged need-based approach includes providing advice, assistance and support for capacity building for:

Development, production and quality assurance of reactor and accelerator based medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for both diagnosis and treatment of diseases, especially cancer.
Setting up Cyclotron and radioisotope/radiopharmaceutical production facilities.
Setting up irradiation facilities and using gamma radiation, electron beam and X-rays for varied applications such as tackling pollutants, wastewater treatment, sterilization of medical products, disinfestation of food grains, synthesis and characterization of advanced materials.
Applications of radiation and isotopes in industrial process management as well as for preservation of cultural heritage artefacts.

Programme

The programme on Radioisotope Production and Radiation Technology has two sub- programmes:

Subprogramme 2.5.1: Radioisotope Products for Management of Cancer and other Chronic Diseases.
Subprogramme 2.5.2: Radiation Technology Applications for Health Care and Cleaner Industrial Processes and Practices.