Do workers at irradiation facilities face dangers from regular long-term or accidental exposures to radiation?
Under normal operating conditions, workers are protected by shielding, detection systems, and safety procedures. Irradiator designs include redundant levels of monitoring and safety devices to protect personnel from radiation exposure. A system of interlocks prevents unauthorized entry into the radiation cell when the source is exposed. Worker safety is also dependent upon strict operating procedures and proper training. In most countries, regulations require periodic inspection of facilities to ensure compliance with the terms of operating licenses. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for regulating worker protection. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission or an appropriate state agency must license food irradiation plants that use cobalt or cesium, as their radiation source. The NRC is responsible for the safety of workers in NRC-licensed facilities. Plants in the United States that use machine-generated radiation are under the jurisdiction of the FDA, which e
