Problems with Technetium-99m
- It is expensive to produce the isotope
- A nuclear reactor is required to produce the isotope
- Radioactive waste is generated in the production of the isotope
- Tissue damage – leading to sickness and ultimately death for high exposure
- Can cause cancer – leukemia/lung – up to 20 years after treatment
- Genetic damage causes deformities in offspring
- Diagnostic treatment will result in radiation exposure
- Unlike a chest x-ray, the radiation source is inside the patient and will be carried around for a few days, exposing others to second-hand radiation.