Many applications

Canada's nuclear industry has other applications that benefit all of us

Did you know that radiation is used to kill bacteria, parasites, and insects in food, including listeria, salmonella, and E.coli? More than 50 food products have been approved for irradiation in 55 countries.

Food irradiation extends shelf life and destroys parasites and micro-organisms.

Radiation benefits agriculture

Radiation can be used to eliminate harmful agricultural pests, replacing the use of chemical pesticides. It can also be used to help develop new strains of plants that are more virus resistant and that grow and produce better in different locations around the world.

Industrial and consumer uses

Radiation also has uses in industry, such as the use of radioactive materials to take measurements without direct physical contact. Consumer products also benefit from the use of radiation or radioactive materials – for example, smoke detectors and photocopiers use small amounts of radiation, and personal products can be sterilized using radiation to remove irritants and allergans.