A top supplier of medical isotopes closed through 2009An aging Canadian nuclear reactor responsible for production of one-third of the isotopes used in medical radiation treatment around the world will be out of service through at least the end of 2009, authorities said Wednesday. The half-century old National Research Universal (NRU NRU Nauru (ISO Country code) NRU Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (UK) NRU Not Recently Used NRU Neutral Red Uptake NRU National Research Universal ) reactor in Chalk River, Ontario Chalk River is a small town of about 800 people in Ontario 21 km NW of Petawawa, Ontario and 182.15 km NW of Ottawa, Ontario. It is about 15 km from Deep River, Ontario. Chalk River's elementary school is called St. Anthony's. was shut down on May 15 after a leak of radioactive water inside the reactor. According to the latest information the reactor was undergoing repairs but officials said it was uncertain how soon that work would be completed. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited “AECL” redirects here. For other uses, see AECL (disambiguation). Atomic Energy of Canada Limited or AECL is a Canadian federal Crown corporation with the responsibility of managing Canada's national nuclear energy research and development program, (AECL AECL Atomic Energy of Canada Limited AECL Agroecology AECL Aircraft & Equipment Configuration List AECL Administrative Exposure Control Level ) announced the delay on Wednesday, and said everything possible is being done to speed repairs to the aging facility. "Returning the NRU to service to support the production of medical isotopes for Canadian patients and health care practitioners is our primary objective," said AECL's president and chief executive Hugh MacDiarmid. "We have a dedicated team working around the clock to bring the NRU back to operation as quickly and as safely as possible. However, it is a complex task with many variables," he said in a statement. Company officials said AECL is working closely with safety inspectors at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), previously known as the "Atomic Energy Control Board" (AECB), is best described as the nuclear energy and materials watchdog in Canada. (CNSC CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (formerly the Atomic Energy Control Board, AECB) CNSC Chinese Newcomers Service Center CNSC Churchill Northern Studies Centre (Canada) CNSC Creative Needle Sewing Club ) to repair the Chalk River reactor, while metallurgical and material experts are working with outside engineering firms on cleaning and repairing the reactor. Medical isotopes produced by the Chalk River reactor are used to treat cancer and heart patients around the world. 
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