Radiation kills germs that can cause disease and neutralizes other harmful organisms. Sterilization with ionizing radiation inactivates microorganisms very efficiently and, when used for product wrapping, ensures that healthcare products are safe and can be relied upon.

What is radiation sterilisation?

Radiation kills germs that can cause disease and neutralizes other harmful organisms. Sterilization with ionizing radiation inactivates microorganisms very efficiently and, when used for product wrapping, ensures that healthcare products are safe and can be relied upon.

What is gamma radiation sterilization?

Gamma irradiation sterilization is performed by exposing the product to a radiation source, typically Cobalt 60 isotope, which decomposes into Nickel 60 isotope, firing off gamma rays in the process. These gamma rays can penetrate through the entire product, deactivating whatever microorganisms may be present.

How much does gamma sterilization cost?

The production equipment costs $150,000 to $400,000, depending upon model. The largest unit, the Sterrad 800, may be cost-effective for manufacturers sterilizing as little as 30,000 cu ft per shift per year of a high-value product, says John Simmons, business director for ASP’s scientific and industrial group.

Which ray is used for sterilization?

gamma rays
Either gamma rays from a cobalt-60 (60Co) isotope source or machine-generated accelerated electrons are used. Gamma irradiation is the most popular form of radiation sterilisation and is used when materials are sensitive to the high temperature of autoclaving but compatible with ionising radiation.

What type of radiation is commonly used to sterilize medical equipment?

gamma radiation
The standard sterilization method for many medical devices and food samples over the past 40 years involves gamma radiation.

What are types of sterilization?

Common methods of sterilization include physical methods and chemical methods. Physical methods include dry heat, steam, radiation, and plasmas. Radiation encompasses a variety of types, including gamma radiation, electron beam, X-ray, ultraviolet, microwave, and white (broad spectrum) light.

Can gamma radiation sterilize you?

Gamma sterilization is used to sterilize human tissue grafts: connective tissue allograft, such as bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, dura mater, skin, heart valves and corneas, which are widely used for reconstructive surgery in many clinical disciplines, including orthopedics, traumatology, neurosurgery, cardiac …

What is gamma irradiation used for?

What is gamma radiation used for? Common applications for gamma processing (treatment) include the sterilizing (killing of bacteria) of medical devices, microbial reduction of foods, cosmetics and their packaging, and the deinfestation of agricultural products.

Is gamma irradiation expensive?

2) Gamma radiation is an inexpensive and logistically simple process–The cost of having the infested materials treated with gamma radiation at a commercial radiation plant was $1.00 per cubic foot.

What are gamma rays used for?

Gamma rays are the highest energy type of electromagnetic radiation and reveal information about the sources that created them. Gamma ray signatures can be used to detect the difference between radioactive materials that pose a security risk and those that do not.

Why is Cobalt 60 used for sterilization?

Cobalt-60 is type of ionizing radiation. Gamma rays from a source penetrate the targeted material and knock electrons from orbit. For sterilization applications this has the effect of disrupting DNA, which renders any microorganisms present nonviable.