What is one example of a radiochemical impurity?

The correct answer is that pertechnetate (Tc-04) serves as an example of a radiochemical impurity because it can emerge during the preparation of technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals. When synthesizing these compounds, unintended formation of pertechnetate can occur alongside the desired radiolabeled species.

In radiopharmaceutical preparations, purity is critical for ensuring proper dosing and minimizing adverse effects. The presence of pertechnetate can compromise the quality of the product, as it may not exhibit the same localization characteristics as the intended radiopharmaceutical. This makes it important to monitor for such impurities during quality control checks.

Understanding radiochemical impurities is essential for ensuring that radiopharmaceuticals are safe and effective for diagnostic or therapeutic use.