Projection of needs for gamma radiation sources and other radioisotopes and assessment of alternatives for providing radiation sources

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6100741· OSTI ID:6100741

Ross, W A; Jensen, G A; Clark, L L; Eakin, D E; Jarrett, J H; Katayama, Y B; McKee, R W; Morgan, L G; Nealey, S M; Platt, A M; Tingey, G L

Pacific Northwest Laboratory reviewed the projected uses and demands for a variety of nuclear byproducts. Because the major large-scale near-term demand is for gamma irradiation sources, this report concentrates on the needs for gamma sources and evaluates the options for providing the needed material. Projections of possible growth in the irradiation treatment industry indicate that there will be a need for 180 to 320 MCi of /sup 60/Co (including /sup 137/Cs equivalent) in service in the year 2000. The largest current and projected use of gamma irradiation is for the sterilization of medical devices and disposable medical supplies. Currently, 40% of US disposable medical products are treated by irradiation, and within 10 years it is expected that 90% will be treated in this manner. Irradiation treatment of food for destruction of pathogens or parasites, disinfestation, or extension of allowable storage periods is estimated to require an active inventory of 75 MCi of /sup 60/Co-equivalent gamma source in about a decade. 90 refs., 7 figs., 25 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6100741
• Report Number(s): PNL-6250; ON: DE89012874
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIATION SOURCES
AVAILABILITY
CESIUM 137
COBALT 60
FORECASTING
GAMMA RADIATION
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM ISOTOPES
COBALT ISOTOPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
550600* - Medicine