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Radiation Sterilization & Irradiators

Dade Moeller 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:

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 contact us. We would be happy to help interpret the information as necessary or to assist in the installation/implementation of a system at your facility. Dade Moeller 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