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The international Radura logo, used to show a food has been treated with ionizing radiation. A portable, trailer-mounted food irradiation machine, c. 1968 Food irradiation (sometimes American English: radurization; British English: radurisation) is the process of exposing food and food packaging to ionizing radiation, such as from gamma rays, x-rays, or electron beams.
Radiation damage can affect polymers that are found in nuclear reactors, medical devices, electronic packaging, and aerospace parts, as well as polymers that undergo sterilization or irradiation for use in food and pharmaceutical industries.
2007 ISO radioactivity danger symbol intended for IAEA Category 1, 2, and 3 sources defined as dangerous sources capable of causing death or serious injury. [ 1 ] This article lists notable civilian accidents involving radioactive materials or involving ionizing radiation from artificial sources such as x-ray tubes and particle accelerators .
Radappertization is a form of food irradiation which applies a dose of ionizing radiation sufficient to reduce the number and activity of viable microorganisms to such an extent that very few, if any, are detectable in the treated food by any recognized method (viruses being excepted).
In food preservation, radiation is used to stop the sprouting of root crops after harvesting, to kill parasites and pests, and to control the ripening of stored fruit and vegetables. Food irradiation usually uses beta-decaying nuclides with strong gamma emissions like cobalt-60 or caesium-137.
The city of Berkeley, California, through its nuclear-free zone law, requires that food intended for human consumption be labeled "Treated with Ionizing Radiation". Food irradiating facilities are also banned as part of this law. [11] Such requirements are seen by consumer groups as helpful information to consumers concerned about food irradiation.
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Irradiation is the use of ionising gamma rays emitted by cobalt-60 and caesium-137, or, high-energy electrons and X-rays to inactivate microbial pathogens, particularly in the food industry. Bacteria such as Deinococcus radiodurans are particularly resistant to radiation, but are not pathogenic. [ 1 ]