Azerbaijan seeks to get IAEA licenses within sterilization unit launch project
By Rashid Shirinov
The Nuclear Research Centre will submit its final report by late January to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the issue of licenses for the purchase and maintenance of isotopes needed to run the sterilization installation.
The company told Trend that three licenses are required for the use of isotopes. The first one, for their purchase and maintenance, has already been received. The Nuclear Research Centre plans to receive the two other licenses, for import and transportation, until the end of the month.
During this period, the Centre will have to report to the IAEA about getting licenses and about where it will purchase isotopes. After that, in the next three months, the isotopes will be produced and transported to the country.
The work on construction of the sterilization unit was carried out by the Hungarian Institute of Isotopes, which did the final test work on the run of the installation.
“The sterilization unit as well as the laboratories and all the necessary utilities are ready for operation," said the Nuclear Research Centre.
The sterilization unit is located in the village of Gobu, 20 km from Baku, in an area owned by the Nuclear Research Centre.
After launching of the installation, different items will be exposed to radiation with gamma rays, and the period of their use will be increased. Sterilization by way of gamma radiation destroys microbes, which in turn will increase the shelf life of agricultural products.
There is an international list of products that can be subjected to radiation at harmless doses. The list includes wheat, dried fruit, spices, meat and meat products, wine, potatoes, and other agricultural goods.
Sterilization plants operate in all developed countries, increasing the shelf life of many products.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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