Cobalt-60 irradiation facility and none-food products

Analysis has been done on possibility to expand the R and D programme of radiation technology on the commercial Cobalt-60 facility of the Hanoi Irradiation Centre. The irradiator was given by the IAEA through the project VIE/8/004 Food Irradiation, but a number of none-food products may be tested at this facility. The study shows that in Vietnam, a tropical country, insect and mould control is important for preservation of raw materials for light industry and pharmacy. Although the conveyor system is not fit for low density medical product, it is still advantageous to be used for sterilization of carrier of nitrogen fixing preparation. A modification was proposed to make a high dose-rate irradiation to develop polymer crosslinking. Conclusion is made that for efficient use of the 'food irradiation ' facility, wide spreading none-food products processing is not only possible, but also necessary. (author). 9 refs, 1 fig