The effect of formaldehyde on the radiation sterilization of peat

Sterilization of peat by combined effect of Co60- gamma-radiation and formaldehyde has been studied. The degree of sterilization has been determined by the method of count of microorganisms colonies grown on culture agar extracted from peat. It has been determined that with the increase of formaldehyde concentration in peat from 0 to 0.6%, sterilization dose decreases from 10 kGy to zero. The decrease in sterilization dose by 40% results in the same decrease in sterilization cost as in this case the cost of formaldehyde can be ignored in comparison with radiation cost. The given method is recommended for use to decrease the sterilization dose in objects where the effect of residual formaldehyde does not matter