Helium hitch: Why US-Israel war on Iran could cause MRI scan delays - Al Jazeera
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A potential US-Israel military conflict with Iran threatens to severely disrupt global supply chains for critical materials, most notably liquid helium, which is essential for medical MRI scanners. Such a conflict could also exacerbate existing pressures on semiconductor production and crude oil prices. The specter of conflict impacts global helium supply because a significant portion of the world's helium is produced as a byproduct of natural gas extraction in West Asia, particularly in Qatar. Any instability in this volatile region, especially disruptions to shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, directly jeopardizes the transport and availability of helium. This vulnerability is critical because helium is an irreplaceable element for MRI machines, cooling the powerful magnets that generate detailed images for medical diagnostics, and is also vital for the manufacturing of advanced semiconductors.