Radiation Sterilization

[JDillon@mercury.ligand.com]

Hi everyone,

I am serching for some information pertaining to sterilization.  One of our 
researchers needs to sterilize some capsules that can't be sterilized by the 
typical means. (e.g. alcohol or autoclaving).  One option is the use of ethylene 
oxide gas, which is unfortunately toxic.  The other option is gamma irradiation, 
which we are looking into pursuing.  The problem is how much dose is needed to 
sterilize this material.  From other contacts, I have heard multiple responses 
ranging from 10,000 rads to 200,000 rads.  Is there anyone out there that can 
help me pin down a little more of an exact number.

Thanks
Jon Dillon
jdillon@ligand.com