If a Mo activity of 10 uCi is found in an eluate with 416 mCi of Tc99m, what is true about the eluate?

When evaluating the eluate with a molybdenum (Mo) activity of 10 µCi in the presence of 416 mCi of technetium-99m (Tc99m), it is essential to understand the significance of the ratios and safety standards governing radiopharmaceuticals.

The presence of 10 µCi of Mo is a very small amount compared to the 416 mCi of Tc99m. Regulatory guidelines allow for a certain limit of Mo contamination in the Tc99m eluate, commonly set at 0.15 µCi of Mo per mCi of Tc99m, which means that with 416 mCi of Tc99m, the threshold for Mo activity should be around 62.4 µCi (416 mCi x 0.15 µCi/mCi). Since the eluate only has 10 µCi of Mo, it is well below the permissible limit, indicating that the amount of Mo is not only within safe limits but is minimal and manageable.

Thus, the eluate may be safely administered to patients, as it meets the established safety standards for Mo/Tc99m contamination. In clinical practice, ensuring that the Mo activity remains significantly lower than the acceptable limit reflects adherence to safety