Irradiation facilities all around the world

WHY IONIZING RADIATION?

When it comes to sterilizing products, ionizing radiation is a commonly used method worldwide. The exposure of the product to gamma rays or electrons, effectively kills or inactivates all bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, without altering the physical, chemical, or mechanical properties of the product or packaging.

WHAT IS USED ON?

One of the main applications of ionizing radiation for sterilization is in the medical industry. In fact, it is estimated that over 70% of all single-use medical devices worldwide are sterilized using this method. This method is also commonly used for surgical instruments, single-use disposable products, and certain food products, such as spices and dried fruits. Additionally, it's used for the sterilization of heat-sensitive materials that cannot be sterilized through traditional methods, such as steam sterilization.

ADVANTAGES OF IRRADIATION

One of the major benefits of using ionizing radiation for sterilization is that it's an automatic process that allows the product to be irradiated while still packaged. It's considered safe because the levels used are low and do not leave any residual radiation in the sterilized product. This method is regulated by international and national organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), to ensure the safe and effective use of radiation for these applications.

Sterilization of products worldwide

Currently, there are around 300 industrial irradiation facilities around the world, and their number is continuously increasing. The IAEA has developed the Database on Industrial Irradiation Facilities (DIIF) to keep track of these facilities and provide information to users, including an interactive map, source activity, and type of accelerator used.

Irradiation Modes
	X-ray
	E-beam
	E-beam, X-ray
	Gamma

You can find the updated interactive DIIF map here: DIIF Portal