Radiation sterilization of medical supplies

Abstract

Medical supplies such as absorbent cotton, paper cotton, gauze, sticking plaster and sutural silk thread artificially contaminated by E. coli, Staphyl. aureus, B. subtilis, Mycobact. tubercul. and Clostoridum histol. were irradiated by γ-rays of Co⁶⁰ for the purpose of sterilization. They were completely sterilized for the dose of 2×10⁶ rad, and their essential qualities as a medical supplies were not damaged. But above 1×10⁷ rad, their qualities were damaged and they became not suitable for practical use.