Typical irradiation doses |
kGy |
Process |
5 - 10 |
Flue gas treatment |
10 – 50 |
Polymer grafting |
10 - 60 |
Sterilization |
25 - 50 |
Polymerization |
50 - 250 |
Polymer cross-linking |
100 - 400 |
Rubber vulcanization |
500 - 1500 |
Fluoropolymer degradation |
Very High |
Gemstone coloration |
In the U.S., the maximum radiation dose permitted is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the regulations for handling the products are provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA)
FDA has approved treatment levels as follows:
- “Low” doses – (up to 1 kGy) designed to
- Control insects in grains
- Inhibit sprouting in white potatoes -
- Control trichinae in pork
- Inhibit decay and control insects in fruits and vegetables
- Sprout inhibition 0.1 – 0.2 kGy
- Insect disinfestations 0.3 – 0.5 kGy
- Parasite control 0.3 – 0.5 kGy
- “Medium” doses – (1 – 10 kGY) designed to
- Control Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia & E. Coli in meat, poultry and fish
- Delay mold growth on strawberries and other fruits
- Fungi control 1.5 – 3.0 kGy
- Bacteria control 1.5 – 3.0 kGy
- “High” doses – (greater than 10 kGy) designed to
- Kill microorganisms and insects in spices
- Commercially sterilize foods, destroying all microorganisms of public health concern (no commercial applications of this dosage have been approved by FDA, with the exception of some special hospital diets for immune-deficient patients)
Typical dose requirements for |
- Sprout inhibition 0.1 – 0.2 kGy
- Insect disinfestations 0.3 – 0.5 kGy
- Parasite control 0.3 – 0.5 kGy
- Delaying ripening 0.5 – 1.0 KGy
- Fungi control 1.5 – 3.0 kGy
- Bacteria control 1.5 – 3.0 kGy
- Sterilization 15 – 30 kGy
- Polymerization 25 – 50 kGy
- Grafting 25 – 50 kGy
- Crosslinking 50 – 150 kGy
- Degradation 500 – 1500 kGy
- Gemstone coloration very high doses
Irradiation :
Key Concept
