Nuclear Isotopes Caught Heading to Iran
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Stockbyte/Thinkstock(MOSCOW) — Russian customs agents said Friday morning they found 18 pieces of radioactive metal in the luggage of a passenger bound for Tehran. A radiation detector at the airport identified the luggage, which had levels of radiation 20 times the limit.
But on closer examination the isotope was identified as Na22, which is used in medicine. It is commonly used to trace sodium in the body. It cannot be used in the production of nuclear weapons.
Russia has an agreement with Iran to supply medical isotopes.
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