Current status and prospects of radiation processing studies in Taiwan, R. O. C.

Abstract

The research on radiation processing in past 5 years in Taiwan covers industrial application of radiation-induced polymerization and curing, medical application of radiosterilization of medical supplies, chemicals, and amniotic membrane for wound dressing as well as agricultural application of food irradiation and genogenesis etc. Radiation-induced polymerization applied on wood and bamboo plastic composite of methyl methacrylate, radiation curing on polyurethane and silicon rubber for biomedical material using to separate oxygen from nitrogen and on crosslinking of pp and ps for artificial skin for wound dressing were all success. Radio-sterilization of disposable medical supplies appears for immediate application after the studies of the dose requirement of several radioresistant microorganisms, dose distribution measured by chemical dosimeters of ceric sulfate and Fricke dosimeter as well as quality control system were completed. The radiosterilization study of tetracycline - HCl and few detoxic agents like atropine sulfate and toxogonin has shown the promising results on radiosterilization of chemicals, the radiosterilization of amniotic membrane for wound dressing are also success. Food irradiation on sprouting inhibition of potatoes, garlic etc, on radiodisinfestation of cereal insects, tobacco bettles, soybean insects, and flour beetles, as well as on frog legs and porks have been also discussed. The legislation on radiosterilization of medical supplies and food irradiation of 14 items has been approved by National Health Administration, R.O.C. in July of 1982 and January of 1985 respectively. Even 24 hrs-operation of 1 Mega curie irradiation plant at INER can not satisfy the requirement of radiosterilization of medical supplies. A private commercial irradiation plant is urgently needed in Taiwan other than at INER now.