How Is Cobalt-60 Used In Sterilization?

The gamma irradiation process uses Cobalt 60 radiation to kill microorganisms on a variety of different products in a specially designed cell. Gamma radiation is generated by the decay of the radioisotope Cobalt 60, with the resultant high energy photons being an effective sterilant.

Why is cobalt-60 used in Sterilisation?

Cobalt-60 is type of ionizing radiation. Gamma rays from a source penetrate the targeted material and knock electrons from orbit. For sterilization applications this has the effect of disrupting DNA, which renders any microorganisms present nonviable.

How is cobalt-60 used?

What is it used for? Co-60 is used medically for radiation therapy as implants and as an external source of radiation exposure. It is used industrially in leveling gauges and to x-ray welding seams and other structural elements to detect flaws. Co-60 also is used for food irradiation, a sterilization process.

What isotope is used in sterilization?

Cobalt-60
Gamma rays used for sterile processing are formed with the self disintegration of Cobalt-60 (60Co). Among thousands of gamma emitters only Cobalt-60 is indicated for sterilization processing. Cobalt-60 can be produced in a nuclear power reactor by the irradiation of 59Co (metal), with fast neutrons.

Why is cobalt-60 used to irradiate food?

In many countries, food irradiation with cobalt-60 is routinely used to prevent sprouting or rotting, to delay ripening, and to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

What are 3 important uses of cobalt?

Cobalt is also used to make airbags in automobiles; catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries; cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) and diamond tools; corrosion- and wear-resistant alloys; drying agents for paints, varnishes, and inks; dyes and pigments; ground coats for porcelain enamels; high-speed

What is chemical method of sterilization?

Chemical sterilization is the process of using low temperature chemicals to kill, eliminate, and remove all germs, viruses, and bacteria. This can be in the form of gas or liquid chemicals.

Can cobalt-60 destroy bacteria?

The gamma irradiation process uses Cobalt 60 radiation to kill microorganisms on a variety of different products in a specially designed cell. Gamma radiation is generated by the decay of the radioisotope Cobalt 60, with the resultant high energy photons being an effective sterilant.

When was cobalt-60 first used in medicine?

October 27, 1951
On October 27, 1951, the world’s first cancer treatment with Cobalt-60 radiation took place at Victoria Hospital. This marked an important milestone for both the fight against cancer and Canada’s emergence as a leader in the field of radiotherapy.

What happens if you touch cobalt-60?

Mishandling of a large industrial source of Co-60 could result in an external exposure large enough to cause skin burns, acute radiation sickness radiation sickness A serious illness that can happen when a person is exposed to very high levels of radiation, usually over a short period of time. or death.

Which element is used for sterilization?

Ethylene oxide gas has been used since the 1950s for heat- and moisture-sensitive medical devices. Within the past 15 years, a number of new, low-temperature sterilization systems (e.g., hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, peracetic acid immersion, ozone) have been developed and are being used to sterilize medical devices.

What is the most effective chemical agent for sterilization?

Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is active against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores ^{78, 654}. A 0.5% accelerated hydrogen peroxide demonstrated bactericidal and virucidal activity in 1 minute and mycobactericidal and fungicidal activity in 5 minutes ⁶⁵⁶.

What are 3 sterilization agents?

Steam under pressure, dry heat, EtO gas, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, and liquid chemicals are the principal sterilizing agents used in health-care facilities.

What type of radiation is cobalt-60?

gamma rays
Cobalt-60 emits two high energy gamma rays, making cobalt-60 both an internal and external hazard. The primary exposure pathways of concern are ingestion (drinking water and fish consumption), and exposure by inhalation and external exposure.

Is cobalt-60 natural or man made?

Cobalt-60 is not found in nature. It is a synthetic radioactive isotope made by neutron activation of Cobalt-59. Cobalt-60 is produced off site in nuclear reactors and transported in special shipping containers (casks) to the sterilization facility.

Is cobalt treatment still used?

Because these “cobalt machines” were expensive and required specialist support, they were often housed in cobalt units. Cobalt therapy was a revolutionary advance in radiotherapy in the post-World War II period but is now being replaced by other technologies such as linear accelerators.

What are 5 uses cobalt?

Cobalt is used in many alloys (superalloys for parts in gas turbine aircrafr engines, corrosion resistant alloys, high-speed steels, cemented carbides), in magents and magnetic recording media, as catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries, as drying agents for paints and inks.

What is cobalt used in today?

Cobalt, like iron, can be magnetised and so is used to make magnets. It is alloyed with aluminium and nickel to make particularly powerful magnets. Other alloys of cobalt are used in jet turbines and gas turbine generators, where high-temperature strength is important.

What are 5 interesting facts about cobalt?

Five astonishing facts about cobalt

• Cobalt is named after mythical, death-dealing goblins.
• We’ve used cobalt dye for at least 2,600 years.
• Cobalt can treat cancer…but also kill you.
• Cobalt used to be a beer additive – with disastrous effects.
• Cobalt is key to cutting edge technology and a greener future.

What are the 4 types of sterilization?

4 Main Methods of Sterilization | Organisms | Microbiology

• Physical Methods:
• Radiation Method:
• Ultrasonic Method:
• Chemical Method:

What are the 5 methods of sterilization?

In this post, we’ll discuss the five methods of lab sterilization that will keep you and your materials safe.

• Wet Heat (Autoclaving) Autoclaving is the most popular method of lab sterilization.
• Dry Heat (Baking or Flaming)
• Filtration.
• Chemicals/Solvents.
• Radiation.