Production of ¹³¹ Iodine in research reactors from elementary tellurium

Presents the history of the production of iodine-131 in the Institute of Atomic Energy (IEA), SP, Brazil), the preliminary works for the development of the method, which were done in small scale and it was not necessary protection for the operators, the evolution of these operations until the final assembling of the equipment in shielded cells, the efficiency of operations and product purity. The problems linked to the presence of iodate in the preparations and the changes made for elimination of that ion, harmful to many types and use of iodine-131 are examined. The quality of the product delivered today, an average of 140 departures per month, and the number of departures, per year since the beginning of iodine-131 production were indicated