Irradiation
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Hulkmanner
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Silver dimes were expose to radiation.
{{Cleanup|date=March 2008}}
{{selfref|This article is about the [[physics]] of irradiation. See [[irradiation illusion]] for information about a visual illusion.}}
'''Irradiation''' is the process by which an item is exposed to [[radiation]]. The exposure can be intentional, sometimes to serve a specific purpose, or it can be accidental. In common usage the term refers specifically to ionizing radiation, and to a level of radiation that will serve that specific purpose, rather than [[radiation]] exposure to normal levels of [[background radiation]] or abnormal levels of radiation due to accidental exposure. This term also applies to 'non-ionizing radiation as microwaves or to low frequency (50/60 Hz power supply), high frequency (as cellular phones, radio and TV transmissions).
== Applications ==
===Sterilization===
If administered at appropriate levels, all of these forms of radiation can be used to [[sterilization (microbiology)|sterilize]] objects, a technique used in the production of medical instruments and disposables, such as [[syringe]]s as well as in the disinfestation and [[Food irradiation|sterilization of food]]. Small doses of ionizing radiation ([[electron beam processing]], [[X-rays]] and [[gamma rays]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/rad_in_food/irradfoodqa/ |title=Food Standards Agency - Irradiated food |accessdate=2008-01-26 |format= |work=}}</ref> may be used to kill bacteria in food, or other organic material, including blood. Irradiation also includes (by the principle) [[microwave heating]].
===Medicine===
It is also used in [[radiation therapy|cancer therapy]].
===Industrial chemistry===
Irradiation can furthermore be used in [[cross-linking]] of [[plastics]] or to improve material qualities of [[semi-precious stones]]. Due to its efficiency, [[electron beam processing]] is often used in the irradiation treatment of polymer-based products to improve the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, and often adding unique properties. Cross-linked polyethylene pipe (PEX), high-temperature products such as tubing and gaskets, wire and cable jacket curing, curing of composite materials, and crosslinking of tires are a few examples. Irradiation is also employed to prevent sprouting of certain cereals, onions, potatoes and garlic.<ref>Bly, J.H.; Electron Beam Processing. Yardley, PA: International Information Associates, 1988.
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===Security===
During the [[2001 anthrax attacks]], the [[US Postal Service]] [[irradiated mail]] to protect members of the US government and other possible targets. This can be of some concern to people, including artists; according to the ART in Embassies programme "incoming mail is irradiated, and the process destroys slides, transparencies and disks."[http://aiep.state.gov/submit.html]
==Silver Dimes==
Furthermore, [[irradiated]] silver dimes were sold at the American Museum of Atomic Energy, Oakridge, TN. The dimes, Mercury and Roosevelt, were exposed to [[radiation]]. The person had the opportunity to buy the encased coins at the museum. Also, the coins were sold at the New York World's Fair, 1964-1965.
==References==
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==See also==
*[[Radiolyse]]
[[Category:Radiobiology]]
[[ar:تعرض للإشعاع]]
[[de:Bestrahlung]]
[[fr:Irradiation]]
[[uk:Опромінення]]
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