Radiological Engineering Visits STERIS Isomedix in Chester, NY

Radiological Engineering Design students took a trip to STERIS Isomedix, in Chester, NY to see an example of how radiation is used in industry. Cadets experienced first-hand how gamma rays from a Cobalt-60 radioactive source sterilize medical supplies and food, remediate mold, cross-link polymers, and perform many other applications. During the visit, STERIS Isomedix loaded about 500,000 Curies of new Co-60 sources into one of their gamma-ray sterilization machines, reshuffled older sources, and removed the oldest ones which were no longer sufficiently radioactive. Cadets watched the shielded containers as they were lifted by crane off a flatbed truck and lowered into a 25-foot deep pool of water where they were safely opened and loaded into the machine. Mr. Mark Thomas, the Director of Operations, was very knowledgeable and a great teacher as Cadets asked him many questions about the business aspects of using radioisotopes in industry.