ABSTRACT
COSTS associated with construction and operation of an irradiation facility vary significantly depending on the type of technology that is em-
ployed and specific design of the irradiator. Even within a given technology, there can be major differences in the costs. Many factors, which include the mission of the irradiator (i.e., captive or contract facility), its location, the size of the irradiator (which is related to the volume of product that can be processed) and the expected type and mix of product, affect the final cost of the sterilization process. These factors, among others, need to be considered in any economic analysis that compares one technology to another or even one type of irradiator design to another. The following discussion identifies principal cost items and looks at possible ranges in these costs. This information can be used as a guide for more detailed cost analyses, once details of the process and intended mission of the irradiator have been defined.
