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n.

1. The act of exposing or the condition of being exposed to radiation.
2. The use or application of ionizing radiation, especially in medical treatment and for the sterilization or preservation of food.

A method of sterilizing and disinfesting foods using ionizing radiation (X-rays or γ-rays) to kill micro-organisms and insects. Also used to inhibit sprouting of potatoes. See also microwave cooking; ultraviolet radiation.

An FDA-approved process by which food is bombarded with low doses of high-frequency energy from gamma rays, X-rays or accelerated electrons. The purpose for this radiation is to extend shelf life by inhibiting maturation and decay through the elimination of microorganisms and insect invasion. Most foods processed with irradiation will last weeks instead of days. All irradiated foods must bear an international symbol-a plant within a broken circle. Exceptions to this rule are irradiated foods-such as spices and herbs-that are used as an ingredient in other food products. The jury is still out on the safety of irradiated foods. Of concern are potentially toxic elements that irradiation may produce in foods, as well as the possible long-term side effects of eating these treated products. Proponents suggest that irradiation serves as a substitute for many questionable chemicals and preservatives now used in food processing. Those foods currently approved by the FDA for irradiation treatment are: fruits, vegetables, dried spices, herbs, seasonings and teas, pork, white potatoes, wheat and wheat flours. Most food producers, however, have not taken advantage of that approval.

(irā'dē-ā'shən)
n

1. the exposure of material to roentgen or other radiation. (One speaks of radiation therapy but of irradiation of the patient.) 2. the exposure to radiation.

Exposure to radiant energy (heat, x-rays, etc.) for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. See also radiation (3).
Irradiation of certain foods, including milk, kills harmful bacteria and prevents spoilage. X-ray photography is used in industrial research and in diagnosis of disorders within the body.

• i. teratogen — irradiation at the time of organogenesis which is capable of causing congenital defects such as ankylosis of limb joints and cleft palate.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - belysning, bestråling, oplysning, strålen, udstrålen

Nederlands (Dutch)
(uit)straling, belichting, bestraling

Français (French)
n. - irradiation

Deutsch (German)
n. - Bestrahlung, Leuchten, Erleuchtung

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ακτινοβολία, ακτινοβόληση

Italiano (Italian)
irradiazione

Português (Portuguese)
n. - irradiação (f)

Русский (Russian)
освещение, излучение, сияние

Español (Spanish)
n. - irradiación

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - utstrålning, glans, bestrålning (av t.ex. frukt), irradiation (med.)

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
照耀, 光, 光线, 发光, 启迪

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 照耀, 光, 光線, 發光, 啟迪

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 발광, 계발, 라듐선 치료

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 光を投ずること, 放射, 啓発, 啓蒙, 発光

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) إشعاع, تعرض للأشعه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮הקרנה, קרן אור, הארה (גם רוחנית), התפזרות האור על האמולסיה (צילום), תופעת התארכות הקצוות של עצם מואר הנראה על רקע חשוך‬

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