Question: What is gamma radiation and what does it do to microbes?

Answer: Gamma rays are very short wavelength electromagnetic waves and their radiation is produced by disturbances in the nucleus of the atom. A radioactive element, such as radium emits gamma rays. They can penetrate a long way into material without being stopped. They tend to pass through and not collide with atoms, until at last they hit something and cause damage. They can be blocked by such things as very thick concrete and thick lead. Gamma rays will kill microbes and so food that is exposed to high doses of gamma radiation is kept fresh for longer.

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