INTRODUCTION

Radiation sterilization utilizes the lethal effect of various forms of radiation as a means of microbial destruction. Ionizing radiation (gamma, x-ray, or beam) sterilization is used extensively for the sterilization of medical devices and for a variety of other materials and products. Nonionizing sterilization methods such as microwave, infrared, x-ray, and ultraviolet light may be useful but have more restricted application, and are outside the scope of this chapter. This chapter provides an overview of sterilization using ionizing radiation and its validation, including dose setting, material compatibility, and dose verification.