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International Meeting on Radiation Processing 2003
ARTICLE IN PRESS
Radiation Physics and Chemistry 71 (2004) 1–2
Foreword
International Meeting on Radiation Processing 2003 The theme of the Conference which took place from 7 to 12 September 2003, was ‘‘Advancing Ionization Technology’’. Since the last meeting 30 months ago, there have been a number of significant developments and advances in the world of Ionization Technology. Governments around the world have supported irradiation to an increasing degree, new irradiator designs have been commissioned, new commercial irradiators installed, more cobalt shipped, and e-beam units designed and commissioned. Many studies have been completed which support the need to continue research into a wide range of topics. Many of those topics were addressed in the 5-day Conference. An on-line survey developed by the Program committee was sent to over 750 past participants to create a more relevant and meaningful conference. The results showed the attendees wanted (1) Oral Papers, (2) General Sessions Topics, and, (3) Poster Sessions. In addition, 70% of those responding indicated Industrial Tours should be included. In fact, we had over 180 persons attend tours to the various facilities in the Chicago area. Accomplishments by all our volunteers and IMRP attendees have been once again outstanding. The all volunteer organization structure of IMRP was maintained with slight modifications to the International Organizing Committee responsibilities. A total of 312 papers were submitted in two scientific categories, which were broken out in the program abstracts separately for the first time. In addition to the scientific category, the food category was given its own section. All papers submitted by the authors have been peer reviewed, and those passing review, are included in this issue of Radiation Physics and Chemistry. Poster Sessions were held in two sessions supporting targeted areas of interest. The Poster Awards were given this year to Eric Marchioni (France), and Sergey Korenev (STERIS Isomedix Services). Co-Chair John Masefield once again pressed our colleagues to be session chairs to lead 20 sessions, the backbone of the technical format of this conference. The session chairs have, once again, done an excellent job. Equally important, we continued with sponsors and exhibitors. These companies have contributed their time,
money, and expertise to bring their employees to not only attend the IMRP, but to provide oral papers, posters, and displays for all attendees. Displays and exhibits from 19 companies during the meeting breaks were well attended. These times are exciting for ‘‘Advancing Ionization Technology’’. They are also turbulent times in the industrial contract sterilization industry. The scare of bio-terrorism and the anthrax incident in the US have brought industry resources to bear on the issues raised in protecting the world food and water supply and the environmental systems we rely on. New security systems for commercial irradiators and for cobalt-60 shipments have been instituted in the aftermath of the World Trade Center incident. The discovery of orphan sources around the globe, and the threat of world-wide terrorism that could provide the impetus for dirty bombs has focused new secure transportation requirements on our industry. Companies were reorganized and combined in new ways to meet the challenges of tomorrow, cobalt shortages have come and gone, and new methods of delivering ionization have been introduced. Our industry has been serving as a knowledgeable resource to government and the media. Companies participated together with regulators to form voluntary task groups, ‘‘ad hoc’’ organizations to meet the demand for intelligent and well presented support for improvements for our world society. Notable papers were prepared and presented by members of this audience in an effort to keep science in the premier position in determining how ionization technology solutions will advance the world in which we live. Food processing emerged as an area for continued investment, especially in the US consumer acceptance has been ramping up despite continued challenges. Attendees at food safety conferences have been showing greater interest in ionization technology. Materials modification applications continue in importance. At the same time, the well-established applications for medical device and supply products have grown as the world demand for better health continues. These two areas are still the drivers of ionization use and are expected to maintain prominence for the next decade and beyond.
0969-806X/$ - see front matter r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2004.05.028
ARTICLE IN PRESS 2
Foreword / Radiation Physics and Chemistry 71 (2004) 1–2
Meanwhile our sister organization AIII seeks new leadership among the generation of management that is emerging. A cadre of volunteers was formed to put a full time support team in place to assure the work of AIII is continued. In summary, during the last 30 months we have all advanced. We have advanced the knowledge of ionization science and technology, we have advanced our ability to provide important solutions for the better lives of humans on this planet, and we have advanced our ability to work together to assure that this conference will continue to be the most important conference on radiation processing in the world. We have officially recorded the final attendance of 333 full 5-day and 212day delegates from 40 countries. IMRP 2003 received a number of positive comments about your conference. Most commented the conference was well organized and found the conference material and proceedings meaningful. We at IMRP 2003 have
been most appreciative of your support and the support of our sponsors and exhibitors. We believe we have supported our theme this year ‘‘Advancing Ionization Technology’’ with poster papers and oral presentations that were interesting, relevant, and represented all the ionizing technologies. The STERIS communications, training, conventions and meeting department employees and others were more fully involved than initially anticipated in preparing for this event. It will be impossible to thank them enough. The next IMRP will be organized by Sterilgamma of Malaysia and take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! The choice of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was well presented and justified. We look forward to seeing all of you again and to continuing the tradition in Malaysia.
Robert E. Moss, John Masefield
Radiation Physics and Chemistry 71 (2004) 1–2
Foreword
International Meeting on Radiation Processing 2003 The theme of the Conference which took place from 7 to 12 September 2003, was ‘‘Advancing Ionization Technology’’. Since the last meeting 30 months ago, there have been a number of significant developments and advances in the world of Ionization Technology. Governments around the world have supported irradiation to an increasing degree, new irradiator designs have been commissioned, new commercial irradiators installed, more cobalt shipped, and e-beam units designed and commissioned. Many studies have been completed which support the need to continue research into a wide range of topics. Many of those topics were addressed in the 5-day Conference. An on-line survey developed by the Program committee was sent to over 750 past participants to create a more relevant and meaningful conference. The results showed the attendees wanted (1) Oral Papers, (2) General Sessions Topics, and, (3) Poster Sessions. In addition, 70% of those responding indicated Industrial Tours should be included. In fact, we had over 180 persons attend tours to the various facilities in the Chicago area. Accomplishments by all our volunteers and IMRP attendees have been once again outstanding. The all volunteer organization structure of IMRP was maintained with slight modifications to the International Organizing Committee responsibilities. A total of 312 papers were submitted in two scientific categories, which were broken out in the program abstracts separately for the first time. In addition to the scientific category, the food category was given its own section. All papers submitted by the authors have been peer reviewed, and those passing review, are included in this issue of Radiation Physics and Chemistry. Poster Sessions were held in two sessions supporting targeted areas of interest. The Poster Awards were given this year to Eric Marchioni (France), and Sergey Korenev (STERIS Isomedix Services). Co-Chair John Masefield once again pressed our colleagues to be session chairs to lead 20 sessions, the backbone of the technical format of this conference. The session chairs have, once again, done an excellent job. Equally important, we continued with sponsors and exhibitors. These companies have contributed their time,
money, and expertise to bring their employees to not only attend the IMRP, but to provide oral papers, posters, and displays for all attendees. Displays and exhibits from 19 companies during the meeting breaks were well attended. These times are exciting for ‘‘Advancing Ionization Technology’’. They are also turbulent times in the industrial contract sterilization industry. The scare of bio-terrorism and the anthrax incident in the US have brought industry resources to bear on the issues raised in protecting the world food and water supply and the environmental systems we rely on. New security systems for commercial irradiators and for cobalt-60 shipments have been instituted in the aftermath of the World Trade Center incident. The discovery of orphan sources around the globe, and the threat of world-wide terrorism that could provide the impetus for dirty bombs has focused new secure transportation requirements on our industry. Companies were reorganized and combined in new ways to meet the challenges of tomorrow, cobalt shortages have come and gone, and new methods of delivering ionization have been introduced. Our industry has been serving as a knowledgeable resource to government and the media. Companies participated together with regulators to form voluntary task groups, ‘‘ad hoc’’ organizations to meet the demand for intelligent and well presented support for improvements for our world society. Notable papers were prepared and presented by members of this audience in an effort to keep science in the premier position in determining how ionization technology solutions will advance the world in which we live. Food processing emerged as an area for continued investment, especially in the US consumer acceptance has been ramping up despite continued challenges. Attendees at food safety conferences have been showing greater interest in ionization technology. Materials modification applications continue in importance. At the same time, the well-established applications for medical device and supply products have grown as the world demand for better health continues. These two areas are still the drivers of ionization use and are expected to maintain prominence for the next decade and beyond.
0969-806X/$ - see front matter r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2004.05.028
ARTICLE IN PRESS 2
Foreword / Radiation Physics and Chemistry 71 (2004) 1–2
Meanwhile our sister organization AIII seeks new leadership among the generation of management that is emerging. A cadre of volunteers was formed to put a full time support team in place to assure the work of AIII is continued. In summary, during the last 30 months we have all advanced. We have advanced the knowledge of ionization science and technology, we have advanced our ability to provide important solutions for the better lives of humans on this planet, and we have advanced our ability to work together to assure that this conference will continue to be the most important conference on radiation processing in the world. We have officially recorded the final attendance of 333 full 5-day and 212day delegates from 40 countries. IMRP 2003 received a number of positive comments about your conference. Most commented the conference was well organized and found the conference material and proceedings meaningful. We at IMRP 2003 have
been most appreciative of your support and the support of our sponsors and exhibitors. We believe we have supported our theme this year ‘‘Advancing Ionization Technology’’ with poster papers and oral presentations that were interesting, relevant, and represented all the ionizing technologies. The STERIS communications, training, conventions and meeting department employees and others were more fully involved than initially anticipated in preparing for this event. It will be impossible to thank them enough. The next IMRP will be organized by Sterilgamma of Malaysia and take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! The choice of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was well presented and justified. We look forward to seeing all of you again and to continuing the tradition in Malaysia.
Robert E. Moss, John Masefield