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An offline nuclear reactor in Petten, Netherlands, disrupted the supply of medical radioisotopes, leading to the cancellation of thousands of hospital appointments across Europe. The reactor, operated by NRG, is a significant producer of molybdenum-99, essential for creating technetium-99m, a compound used in various medical imaging procedures. An inspection revealed a deformity in the reactor's cooling pipe, prompting an immediate shutdown. This shortage occurred simultaneously with maintenance on another reactor, leaving healthcare facilities scrambling to prioritize urgent cases. While the Petten reactor is expected to resume operations shortly, experts warn that future shortages are likely due to the limited number of molybdenum-99 producers.
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