Sterilization 499 irradiator ("Co activity of up to 1.5 MCi), which makes it possible to perform radiation treatment at low and high absorbed doses. The major advantage of y-radiation is least degradation of the product as observed with other methods like dry heat or steam sterilization. Many medical products are subjected to radiation sterilization: disposable syringes, blood transfusion systems, obstetrical sets, bandages, surgical suture materials, bandage and cotton packages, petri dishes, etc. For this purpose, y-radiation (as a rule, from Co) and electron beams are primarily used; the latter account for 25— 30% of the total volume of production sterilized by the radiation method. In addition to medical products, drug preparations (such as ointments and powders), cosmetic materials, talcum powder, etc., are sterilized by y-radiation. However, preparations based on aqueous solutions undergo considerable degradation upon irradiation to a sterilizing dose. Blood and blood products are also being sterilized by this method. ‘The unit of the dose of ionizing radiation is expressed as Gray (Gy), 1 Gy = 1 joule/kg. Usually, the sterilizing dose varies from 15 kGy to 25 kGy and the reliability factor of radiation treatment is 10°. However, a dose of 10 kGy is also used occasionally. Electron Accelerators For sterilization two types of electron accelerators are used — the linear type or ‘oscillating type and electrostatic type, e.g., the Van de Graaff generator. The basic principle of linear accelerators is that: Linear high-energy accelerators use a linear array of plates (or drift tubes)"* to which an alternating high-energy field is applied. As the particles approach a plate they are accelerated towards it by an opposite polarity charge applied to the plate. As they pass through a hole in the plate, the polarity is switched so that the plate now repels them and they are now accelerated by it towards the next plate. Normally a stream of particles is accelerated, so @ carefully controlled AC voltage is applied to each plate to continuously repeat this process for each group of particles. ‘As the particles approach the speed of light the switching rate of the electric fields hecomes so high that they operate at microwave frequencies. ‘Thus, the electrons reach the target (product to be sterilized) at an energy ranging from 3-15 meV (million electron volt). As the radioactive material may be produced if the energy potential increases to more than 9 meV, linear accelerator of more than 9 meV should not be used for sterilization. Linear accelerators are widely used in medicine, for radiotherapy and radiosurgery. A Van de Graaff generator is an electrostatic generator which uses a moving belt to accumulate very high voltages on a hollow metal globe on the top of the stand. It was invented in 1929 by American physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff. The potential differences achieved in modern Van de Graaff generators can reach 5 megavolts. The Van de Graaff generator can be thought of as a constant-current source connected in Ul O <