Final answer:
Technetium-99 (Tc-99m) is a radiochemical impurity that can be present in a molybdenum generator, alongside the desired isotope. Impurities like Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) affect the quality and safety of nuclear imaging procedures, necessitating stringent quality control.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a radiochemical impurity in a molybdenum generator is technetium-99 (Tc-99m). A molybdenum generator, also known as a technetium-99m generator, is used to extract the isotope Tc-99m, which is widely utilized in nuclear medicine for various diagnostic imaging procedures.
However, during the elution process, unwanted radioisotopes such as Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) or other technetium isotopes may be carried along with Tc-99m, resulting in radiochemical impurities. These impurities can affect the quality and safety of the medical imaging process. Therefore, quality control tests are essential to ensure that the percentage of radiochemical impurities is within acceptable limits set by regulatory authorities.