Nurses in Saskatchewan say they appreciate the value of nuclear medicine but do not want the province to build a nuclear reactor so that it can start manufacturing medical isotopes.

The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) presented its views Tuesday to Dan Perrins, who is heading the public consultation process on uranium development on behalf of the provincial government.

Rosalee Longmore, the president of SUN, presented Perrins with a study that reviewed the medical literature on nuclear reactors. The union also released the results of an email survey of its members.

According to the union, 822 nurses responded to the two questions posed. Prior to asking the questions, the survey outlined for the nurses four examples of health concerns related to nuclear reactors.

The survey found that 61.8 per cent of nurses who replied did not support the development of a nuclear power facility.

The second question asked whether nurses were concerned about the health implications of a nuclear power plant, and 89.9 per cent of respondents said they were.

Longmore said that the production of medical isotopes should not be pursued by the province.

"We are aware that there are proposals to expand the production of isotopes in other countries, and so our position would be that Saskatchewan should remain safe," Longmore said. "Our concern is for Saskatchewan, and let other countries take on that development."

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has said the province might submit a proposal for a nuclear reactor that produces medical isotopes.

However, he added that the results of the public consultation process will be considered before proceeding beyond the proposal stage.

Perrins's report is expected at the end of August.