Miller letter to GAO requesting investigation into supply of helium-3, and its impact on radiation detection devices

November 20, 2009

 

 

 

Mr. Gene L. Dodaro

Acting Comptroller General

U.S. Government Accountability Office

441 G Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20548

 

Dear Mr. Dodaro:

 

The committee has recently become aware of a looming shortage of the gas helium-3 (He-3). This gas has a number of applications in private industry; it is used in well logging devices in the oil and gas industry, in MRI and other imaging technology in medical diagnostics, and in basic science research projects in such fields as nuclear and condensed matter physics. Much of the increased demand, however, is due to the expanded use of helium-3 in neutron detectors for national security, nonproliferation, and homeland security applications. The need for helium-3 in the United States is now greatly outpacing production.