Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ionizing Radiation?

All matter is made up of atoms consisting of a nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons, similar to the sun surrounded by the planets. The nucleus is made up of a zoo of different particles. The most significant are called neutrons, because they do not carry an electrical charge and positively charged protons. Atoms containing the same number of protons have identical chemical properties and are known as elements. Elements with a different number of neutrons are known as isotopes. There are 88 naturally occurring elements some examples of which are oxygen, iron, sulphur, uranium and radium etc.Some atoms have an excess of energy in their nucleus. They get rid of this energy by emitting some form of radiation. The process is called radioactive decay.

Most of these radiations emitted have enough energy to strip off one or more of the electrons orbiting a nucleus. This process is called ionization and, not surprisingly the sort of radiations that can produce it are called ionizing radiations. Ionizing radiation comes in four main forms: alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and X-rays. Each one behaves rather differently and can present different sorts of hazards. (X-rays are a particular form of ionizing radiation produced when high-speed electrons are stopped by heavy materials.) 

Steritech uses gamma radiation for its sterilising process

Isn't Steritech's use of Radiation dangerous?

No. Sterilization plants have been operating for nearly 50 years and their design and safety controls have developed a high degree of sophistication. 

They consist of a deep pool of water to store and shield the radiation source when it is not in use. A cell with thick concrete walls shields the source when it is in use. There are two mazes within each cell. One contains a conveyor to move the product to be irradiated into and out of the cell. The other maze is for access by personnel when the source is in the shielded position. There are duplicated interlocks and several radiation monitoring devices to ensure employees cannot enter the irradiation cell when the source is exposed. 

The company has to obtain State Government licences to operate the plants and they are inspected regularly by officers of the Radiation Safety Branches. 

Steritech has over 45 years experience in operating sterilization plants in both Sydney and Melbourne. During that time there has not been one accident or incident that has lead to a radiation exposure of either Steritech employees or members of the public.

What sorts of things does Steritech sterilise?

A surprisingly wide range of things. Perhaps the most important from a public safety point of view is the sterilisation of medical supplies including band-aids, syringes, wound dressings, operating theatre kits, etc. Packaging materials of all sorts are sterilised including wine corks. Animal feed is irradiated to ensure that strange bugs are not being introduced. This is particularly important with laboratory animals, which are kept under carefully controlled conditions. New Zealand for instance won't accept horse feed that hasn't been irradiated. Cosmetics are sterilised, as is packaging for pharmaceuticals. Beehives are irradiated to control American Foul Brood Pest a sort of foot and mouth of bees. 

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service makes considerable use of Steritech's facilities to ensure that suspect items are irradiated and made safe before being used in Australia.

How much does it cost to sterilise my goods?

There are many factors that the Steritech Sales Executive must take into consideration before giving a quote for treatment. These include:-

Length, width and depth of the goods (Steritech uses centimetres as a rule)

Weight (kg’s)

Dose required (for Irradiation)

Cycle Parameters (for EtO)

Volume being treated (cubic metres)

When can i pick up or deliver my goods?

Receiving and Despatch are open Monday – Friday from 8.00am until 3.30pm