31 March 2020
On 27 March 2020, the CEO of ARPANSA, Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson, removed a licence condition from the ANSTO Nuclear Medicine (ANM) facility, allowing it to return to routine operation.
Following a contamination event on 21 June 2019, ANSTO suspended production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).
On 5 July 2019, the CEO of ARPANSA granted approval to resume operation subject to a licence condition restricting the production level of Mo-99. The licence condition required ANSTO to provide evidence of safe operation, satisfactory training records, evidence of appropriate management of conflicting production and safety imperatives, satisfactory staffing levels and rectification of safety significant issues resulting from the June 2019 contamination event.
On 28 November 2019, ARPANSA received an application from ANSTO requesting removal of the restriction on production.
ARPANSA has assessed the application and on 27 March 2020, the CEO decided to remove the licence condition related to limited production of Mo-99. At the same time, a replacement licence condition was imposed, requiring a staged approach to the return to full production.
Under the new condition, ANSTO must notify ARPANSA prior to increase in production at key points and provide justification including consideration of safety factors and risk mitigation measures.
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