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Answer to Question #5283 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Accelerators — Radiation shielding The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
I am working on a product for a company that says there is some sort of light or machine that can be attached to an assembly line or filling station. As a product slides past the light, it is hit with gamma sterilization. Have you ever heard of such a process? It is described as something similar to a heat lamp that you would see at a buffet. A
The machine that you may be referring to is an "electron-beam accelerator" (or irradiator), which can deliver an electron-beam or x-ray radiation dose between 25-40 kilogray (2.5 to 4 million rad) to materials carried on a slow-moving conveyor belt carried in front of the accelerator. This radiation dose is sufficient to kill most bacteria. Since an electron-beam accelerator produces such high radiation dose rates, extraordinary safety systems are necessary to prevent anyone from entering its shielded room any time the accelerator is turned on and producing radiation. Also, to ensure that people are not exposed to the radiation produced, the walls, floor, and ceiling around the accelerator must be made of concrete that is several feet thick or of lead that is several inches thick for radiation shielding. The radiation produced must also be carefully monitored to verify that the workers and members of the public are not unduly exposed to the radiation, even beyond the shielding walls.
You can see some more information about gamma/x-ray radiation sterilization at the Idaho State University and the IBA websites.
Answer posted on 22 March 2006. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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