Radiation Sterilization Equipment
Technical and Training Services

The Radiation Safety Academy specializes in the understanding and assurance of radiation safety. In so doing, we provide technical consulting services and a wide range of training services.

There are 3 types of systems available to sterilize materials. One type uses steam, like an autoclave. Another uses chemicals (pesticides). The third type uses radiation. Since we are radiation safety consultants, we only provide guidance on radiation systems. Following is a summary of radiation sterilization alternatives.

The radiation systems have three forms:

• electron beam
• ion beam
• gamma irradiators
   (cobalt-60, cesium-137)
• x-ray

Electron/ion beam systems have relatively shallow penetrating abilities, while x-ray systems can penetrate through several feet of targets. Most systems are designed to incorporate a conveyor that moves the targets through the beam or field. Ion beam and x-ray systems convert electricity in to electromagnetic radiation. These systems do not emit any radiation when turned off. Gamma irradiators use a high energy cobalt or cesium source which is radioactive all the time but decays over time and requires periodic replacement.

Many of the systems that are currently available using radiation to sterilize food products and materials can be purchased and installed at a customer facility. However, there may be a number of conditions that must be met to do so including regulatory licensing or registration, safety plan implementation, and worker training.

Following is a list of manufacturers and service providers:

Brookhaven Technology Group  www.brookhaventech.com

IBA  www.iba-worldwide.com

Iotron Industries Canada  www.iotron.com

MDS Nordion  www.mds.nordion.com

NUTEK Corporation  www.nutekcorp.com

Radiation Dynamics Inc  www.e-beam-rdi.com

To get detailed specifications on sterilization equipment we suggest that you contact each company directly. If you have questions regarding the information that is provided by any of the manufacturers please More Info. We would be happy to help interpret the information as necessary or to assist in the installation/implementation of a system at your facility.

The Radiation Safety Academy has certified health physicists (CHPs) and registered radiation safety personnel (RRPTs) available to provide the following technical services:

• state license application
• radiation device registration
• facility design and system implementation
• safety surveys/inspections
• worker training
• public education

Additional information about mail irradiation can be found at http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/mail.htm

If you have any questions about these systems please call us at 1-800-871-7930 or More Info.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is irradiated mail safe?

Items that have been irradiated are not radioactive, therefore, irradiated mail is not a radiological health hazard.

Does irradiation damage items that are mailed?

Yes. The purpose of irradiating mail is to destroy living organisms in the mail. Irradiation may also cause changes in the physical properties of items mailed especially plastics, film, and electronic media.

Where can my organization get sterilization equipment?

There are several manufacturers/suppliers of sterilization equipment/services in North America. Links to those company websites are provided above.

How do irradiation systems work?

Please see the product information provided by UC Davis.

What are the costs of implementing a sterilization program?

Irradiation systems are complex. They involve not only the irradiator apparatus but also conveyor and safety systems. Often these systems require special facilities in which they are operated. All of these systems require detailed planning and system design. Most systems require federal or state licensing/permitting and involve worker and management training on operation and safety. For estimates on equipment and other costs, please contact the individual manufacturers by using the links above.

How can I tell if food is irradiated?

The main types of food that can be irradiated are meats, sea food, fruit and vegetables, and herbs and spices. In the US, the FDA currently requires that irradiated foods include labeling with either the statement "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation" and the international symbol for irradiation, the radura (pictured at right).

How can I tell if something received in the mail is irradiated?

There are labels that are engineered to change color according to the amount of radiation that the label absorbs. These labels could be used by a manufacturer or shipper of products to identify to the receiver or customer whether the product had been irradiated while traveling through the postal system. One provider of such labels is:

Stephen Malaga
PO Box 1544
Murfreesboro, TN 37133-1544
phone: 615-867-2745
fax: 615-895-5557

If you have any questions about these systems please call us at 1-800-871-7930 or More Info.