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Can we use a linear accelerator to sterilize PPE?

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Radiation Oncology · Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute
Answered on

Per FAQ's posted by ASTRO:

"At this time, ASTRO does not recommend the use of clinical linear accelerators to sterilize PPE. While ionizing radiation is used for sterilization of blood and food products, this is achieved using industrial irradiators that use gamma irradiation at doses rates far grea...

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Radiation Oncology · Fox Chase Cancer Center
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Unfortunately, using linear accelerators to sterilize PPE is not practical. As stated by others, the industry standard for sterilizing viruses in 25,000 Gy. Data suggests that lower doses (3000-5000 Gy) will kill the coronavirus family, although little data exists specifically for SARS-CoV-2. These ...

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Radiation Oncology · Radiation Oncology Associates PA
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Re-use of disposable respirators isn't recommended if you have a supply chain of PPEs. The issue is what to do if you're unable to have enough in store to use during a pandemic.

Strategic re-use has to be safe, requiring both full decontamination and maintaining mask integrity.

  • Gamma irradiation ta...

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Radiation Oncology · Renaissance Institute of Precision Oncology & Radiosurgery
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We explored this.

It takes about 25 kilogray to guarantee 5 log kill of viruses, plus or minus a log depending on moisture.

Even with the flattening filter off, and reduced SSD, it’s still about 3 hours minimum of full beam.

Obviously if shortages become bad enough, it‘s an option. But a more effici...

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Radiation Oncology · Washington University School of Medicine
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