Sterilisation By Gamma Radiation Planned

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30339, 15 January 1964, Page 15

Sterilisation By Gamma Radiation Planned

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, January 14.

A £250,000 gamma ray plant for sterilising medical materials may be established in Upper Hutt within 12 months.

The plant is planned by the Tasman Vaccine Laboratory, and is the subject of current negotiations with the Department of Industries and Commerce and the Health Department The managing-director of the Tasman Vaccine Laboratory (Mr L. W. N. Fitch) said today there was a definite need for a gamma ray facility in New Zealand to sterilise medical materials. Local manufacturers would be able to enter the medical disposals field.

There are two similar plants in Great Britain, two under construction in America, and a plant of limited use near Melbourne. About 10 men would be needed to operate the New Zealand plant, displacing about 2500 people throughout New Zealand at present engaged in the sterilisation of medical supplies. The capital outlay would be high but adequate output and 24-hour operation would enable sterilised articles to be produced more cheaply than at present. About two-thirds of the materials for the plant would have to be imported. The plant will house a massive cobalt 60 source stored

in a heavily-protected concrete and lead blockhouse. Items to be sterilised would be exposed to the gamma radiation. The articles would retain no radioactivity. The main medical supplies to be sterilised would be disposable syringes, catheters, petri dishes and medical dressings.

Mr Fitch said the syringes and dressings would Ke wrapped in bacteria-proof sheathing, packed in cartons, and then processed. The gamma rays penetrated right through the carton and wrappings and made the article completely sterile until the packing was opened at the hospital.