Radionuclidic purity of 123I products; a reply to Lambrecht, Fairchild and Wolf

Comments are presented on a letter by Lambrecht, Fairchild and Wolf (Int. J. Appl. Radiat. Isot.; 29:341 (1978)) concerning the radionuclidic purity and quality of 123I obtainable from the 124Te (p, 2n) 123I reactions with especial reference to their examination of the previously reported work in this field by the present authors (Van den Bosch et al. Int. J. Radiat. Isotopes; 28:251 (1977)). Specific points of difference are considered. It is felt that at present the 124Te (p, 2n) 123I reaction offers for most 123I applications the best compromise between yield on the one hand and radionuclidic impurity, costs and effort on the other hand. However a strong plea is made for an internationally accepted classification of 123I into a number of grades on the basis of the radionuclidic impurities present. For each grade the typical applications and limitations should be indicated. (U.K.)