Status of radiation applications in developing countries

Abstract

The internationally gained experience in irradiation technology developed different sorts of irradiation. Gamma facilities, electron beam accelerators and nuclear reactors are major radiation sources complementary to each other. Development of irradiation facilities is paralleling a world-wide increasing demand for radiation processing covering a wide spectrum of applications. In radiotherapy, radiation has been applied to deliver a lethal radiation dose to malignant tumors. For sterilization of medical products and biological tissues, the use of ionizing radiation is now a well established technology which is steadily replacing other sterilization techniques. Radiation inactivation of virus serves in the preparation of killed vaccines which still retain their antigenicity but losing their infective property. The use of ionizing radiation has offered a new approach to the problem of food preservation. Food irradiation technology has ensured destruction of parasites and food poisoning microorganisms. Ionizing radiation has also been used as an effective measure for insect control and eradication. In agriculture, ionizing radiation has been used for useful mutations in field crops, growth promotion, and better yields in growing plants. There is increasing interest in ionizing radiation treatment of waste waters for disinfection and changing colloidal properties. In industry, irradiation technology has contributed to the manufacturing industries for new product developments in the plastics, textiles, wood, rubber, petroleum, concrete and chemical industries. Irradiation technology offers a fascinating outlet for developing countries for improving their condition of medical care, upgrading of their natural materials, stimulating their industrial development, decreasing their food losses and increasing their crop production. These lines would certainly contribute to their national economy and would result in an enhanced rate of development. However, transfer of radiation technology to developing countries should be undertaken in view of the actual national and regional needs and supported by an overall well studied national and regional planning for trained manpower development. The choice of a radiation source for a potential application should be based on the demand of the process, compromise between desirability and cost, and quantitative data on installation, operation and maintenance conditions, and costs. The program developed and implemented by Egypt is herein presented. Facilities, organization, personnel, current and past activities, and future plans are described.