Sterilization plant to open in Azerbaijan in two years

By AzerNews

Construction of the first sterilization plant in Azerbaijan has started in Gobu settlement near the capital Baku under a project implemented jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Director of the Institute of Radiation Problems of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Adil Garibov, said on May 8.

Sterilization is a process that eliminates almost all microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. There are a number of sterilization methods depending on the purpose and materials of sterilization.

Gamma radiation sterilization, one of the most penetrative types of energy, is used in hospitals for medical devices sterilization and in industry. Alike X-rays, gamma rays cause significant cell damage at even low dosage, thus killing germs, without damaging the material.

According to Garibov, a group of representatives of the Institute of Isotopes of Hungary, which won a tender announced by the IAEA for the construction of the sterilization plant, has arrived in Baku in connection with "The launch of a sterilization plant with strong gamma-ray emission in Azerbaijan" project.

"The frame of the plant has already been delivered. Currently the Hungarians are working on assembling some spare parts of the plant. The plant will be ready in about two years," Garibov said.

Radiation monitoring and microbiological laboratories will be set up for quality control. The presence or absence of microorganisms in a product after its sterilization will be tested in the labs. The labs need new buildings, the construction of which is expected to take up to four months.

Garibov said that such plants operate in all developed countries, noting that after the commissioning of the facility various products will be irradiated with gamma rays and their shelf-life will increase.

There is an international list of products that can be subjected to radiation and their harmless dose levels. The list includes wheat, dried fruit, spices, meat and meat products, wine, potatoes and other agricultural goods.

According to Garibov, irradiation carried out in a sterilization plant is the most advanced method of killing germs.