White paper shines light on significance of irradiationNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsNovember 25, 2020, 12:00PM|Nuclear News StaffWith input from the American Nuclear Society and other organizations, the International Irradiation Association has published a white paper summarizing all of the significant uses of radiation processing and the global economic, social, and environmental benefits that arise from the technologies. The nontechnical document, Uses and Applications of Radiation Processing, is aimed at people and organizations that are not familiar with radiation processing, highlighting how irradiation is routinely used in an array of diverse and beneficial applications.“Though largely unknown by the public, radiation processing, or ‘irradiation,’ touches everyone’s life,” states the paper, which was released on November 24.The 11-page white paper goes on to summarize the applications of radiation processing, including medical sterilization, food irradiation, wastewater treatment, and other uses. An overview of the different technologies used to irradiate materials, including gamma, electron beam, and X-ray sources, is also provided.Regional summaries: Showcasing how radiation processing is used globally, the IAA paper provides regional summaries that provide insight into how the use of irradiation is delivering benefits to different parts of the world. For example, the paper explains how irradiation technology is being used to support major industries in Japan and South Korea by enabling the production of robust products without the use of chemicals, while Latin America and South Asia are benefiting from the sterilization of medical devices and food products.“Phytosanitary irradiation is an important process that enables food products to be exported from Latin America,” the paper states. “Mexico is leading the way with the irradiation of large volumes of fruit, such as mangoes, various citrus fruits, guava, and peppers.”Contributors: The following organizations provided support and regional input on the IAA paper:American Nuclear SocietyLatin American Association of Radiation TechnologiesCanadian Nuclear Isotope CouncilChina Isotope and Radiation AssociationNational Association for Application of Radioisotopes and Radiation in Industry, IndiaPanel on Gamma and Electron Irradiation, United KingdomThe IIA: The International Irradiation Association is a not-for-profit organization supporting the global irradiation industry and scientific community. Communication, education, and representation are key activities undertaken by the association.Tags:applicationsiaairradiationradiation processingShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
The Mother of Radiation: Marie CurieThe start of Marie Curie's story isn't like most of the other scientists that had made a name for themselves throughout history, mostly because she was a grown woman by the start of the 20th century. But she was the first woman to do a lot of things, including getting a Ph.D. from a university in France, and winning a Nobel Prize. She was also the first person ever to win a Nobel Prize in two different fields of science. To say she pushed the societal and scientific boundaries of her era is an understatement.Go to Article
National Nuclear Science Week 2018 Kicks OffThis week is National Nuclear Science Week - an exciting week of learning, teaching and interacting on all things nuclear-related. (You can read about the history of National Nuclear Science Week, or NNSW, by following this link.)Go to Article
Food Irradiation Can Save Thousands of Lives Each YearThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 6 people get food poisoning each year in the United States and that 3000 die from foodborne illness. Food irradiation can drastically decrease these numbers by killing harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella in meat and produce. The U.S. government endorses the use of food irradiation, but does not educate the public about its benefits. Food irradiation has not caught on in the United States because consumers fear that radiation will mutate the food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a label (pictured below) for any food that has been irradiated.Go to Article
The MTR—Gone now, but not forgottenRecently, Dr. Nicole Stricker of the Idaho National Laboratory sent a link for the following video to members of the ANS Social Media list.Go to Article
A Fukushima investigative scorecardSince the Fukushima accident last March, several Japanese investigative groups have been created to try to establish what actually happened. As the number of groups has grown, some confusion has understandably emerged. Here's a "scorecard" of the five primary Japanese investigative commissions, with a brief description of each.Go to Article
ANS to hold teacher workshop in Phoenix, AZHands-on activity during a November 2011 ANS Teachers WorkshopThe American Nuclear Society's Center for Nuclear Science and Technology Information and the ANS Outreach Department will be sponsoring a one-day teacher workshop on Sunday, February 26, in Phoenix, Ariz. The workshop-Detecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World-is intended for science educators (including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, physical science, life science, environmental, and general science teachers) at the high school and middle school levels. The workshop will be held prior to WM2012, the international waste management conference that takes place annually in Phoenix.Go to Article
ANS to hold teacher workshop in Washington, DCThe American Nuclear Society's Public Education Program will be sponsoring a one-day teacher workshop on Saturday, October 29, in Washington, DC. The workshop-Detecting Radiation in Our Radioactive World-is intended for science educators (including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, physical science, life science, environmental, and general science teachers) at the high school and middle school levels. The workshop will be held prior to the ANS Winter Conference, October 30-November 3, 2011.Go to Article
Fear of Invisible ForcesNothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. ~Marie CurieGo to Article
Up, Up, and Away: Victor Hess and the Cosmic RayVictor Francis Hess was awarded a Nobel Prize in physics for discovering "cosmic rays." Hess did some of his research in a very bold manner-here's some of his story.Go to Article
Two members named ANS FellowsTwo members of the American Nuclear Society were named Fellows during the June 2011 ANS annual conference. These awards were presented in recognition of the Fellows' significant contributions and achievements to nuclear science and technology.Go to Article