Application of electron beam irradiation. 3. Electron beam sterilization

This paper reviews electron beam sterilization. Since a draft for guidelines of electron beam sterilization has been prepared in July 1988, three electron accelerators have been working in Japan. Products to be sterilized with electron beams are medical supplies, gowns, drapes, sheets, plastic plates, and others. Characteristics of electron beam sterilization are discussed under the following items: penetration of electron beams, dose distribution of medical supplies, energy and induced radioactivity of electron beams, temperature increase associated with irradiation, processing ability, cost benefits of electron beam irradiation, the effect of electron beam sterilization, and others. Next, factors to determine radiation doses for sterilization are discussed. Finally, the future perspective of electron beam sterilization is mentioned. (N.K.)