The Self-contained Dry Source Storage Gamma Irradiators are also known by its commercial names, as Gamma Irradiation Chambers (GIC), Gamma Chambers, Blood Irradiators (BI) or Gamma Cells. Such irradiators are being extensively used in various universities, academic and research institutions for research and development purposes. Gamma Irradiation Chambers are also used in hospitals and blood banks for irradiation of blood and blood products/components, for clinical and research purposes. GIC unit mainly houses either 60Co or 137Cs radiation sources with typical radioactivity ranging from tens to hundreds of TBq. These doubly encapsulated high activity sources are placed in a source cage assembly and kept shielded at all times by lead encased in stainless steel material. X-ray based irradiation chambers with operational rating in terms of hundreds of keV, are also used in research institutions, hospitals and blood banks for irradiation of blood and blood products/components. One type of Gamma irradiation chamber is the Blood Irradiator. Irradiation of blood & blood products by gamma rays is a proven and safe method eliminate the risk of post transfusion graft versus host disease Gamma Irradiation Chambers are also used extensively in academic institutions for research and analysis.

The GIC/BI housing is normally designed to meet requirements of type B transport package. The GIC/BI should be installed in the room where the floor is suitable for its load, since the weight of the GIC/BI is of the order of 3 MT to 10 MT.

Less extensively, the Irradiation chambers could also be an X- ray device instead of a radionuclide.

One example of application of irradiation chambers: Tissue grafts are irradiated in the irradiation chambers and the irradiated amnion is used on patients with burns.

Safety Issues:

The built-in design safety and in built shielding ( Type- B packaging) ensures safety of the source. The major safety issuesconcerned ensuring proper disposal of source.