Chalk River, 2007 December 16 — Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) confirms that the National Research Reactor (NRU) was safely returned to service at 3:44 a.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2007.

It is anticipated that medical isotopes will begin to be removed from NRU for processing and distribution within four days.

“NRU provides medical isotopes for about 25 million diagnoses and treatments a year,” says AECL’s President, Research and Technology Division, David Torgerson. “While we recognize the importance of the reliable production of medical isotopes, our first and foremost commitment is to safety. The NRU reactor has operated safely for the past 50 years and is safer now than ever before.”

AECL will continue to provide regular updates as new information becomes available.

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For more information contact:
Dale Coffin
Director, Corporate Communications
AECL
Tel: 905-403-7457