ASTM E 1940 : 2013

1.1 This guide outlines dosimetric procedures to be followed for the radiation-induced reproductive sterilization of live insects for use in pest management programs. The primary use of such insects is in the Sterile Insect Technique, where large numbers of reproductively sterile insects are released into the field to mate with and thus control pest populations of the same species. A secondary use of sterile insects is as benign hosts for rearing insect parasitoids. The procedures outlined in this guide will help ensure that insects processed with ionizing radiation from gamma, electron, or X-ray sources receive absorbed doses within a predetermined range. Information on effective dose ranges for specific applications of insect sterilization, or on methodology for determining effective dose ranges, is not within the scope of this guide.

NOTE 1—Dosimetry is only one component of a total quality assurance program to ensure that irradiated insects are adequately sterilized and fully competitive or otherwise suitable for their intended purpose.

1.2 This guide provides information on dosimetry for the irradiation of insects for these types of irradiators: selfcontained dry-storage ¹³⁷Cs or ⁶⁰Co irradiators, self-contained low-energy X-ray irradiators (maximum processing energies from 150 to 300 keV), large-scale gamma irradiators, and electron accelerators (electron and X-ray modes).

NOTE 2—Additional, detailed information on dosimetric procedures to be followed in installation qualification, operational qualification, performance qualification, and routine product processing can be found in ISO/ASTM Practices 51608 (X-ray [bremsstrahlung] facilities processing at energies over 300 keV), 51649 (electron beam facilities), 51702 (large-scale gamma facilities), and 52116 (self-contained dry-storage gamma facilities), and in Ref (1)² (self-contained X-ray facilities).

1.3 The absorbed dose for insect sterilization is typically within the range of 20 to 600 Gy.

1.4 This guide refers, throughout the text, specifically to reproductive sterilization of insects. It is equally applicable to radiation sterilization of invertebrates from other taxa (for example, Acarina, Gastropoda) and to irradiation of live insects or other invertebrates for other purposes (for example, inducing mutations), provided the absorbed dose is within the range specified in 1.3.

1.5 This guide also covers the use of radiation-sensitive indicators for the visual and qualitative indication that the insects have been irradiated.

1.6 This document is one of a set of standards that provides recommendations for properly implementing and utilizing dosimetry in radiation processing and describes a means of achieving compliance with the requirements of ASTM Practice E2628. It is intended to be read in conjunction with ASTM E2628.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.