New IAEA Best Practices in the Disinfection of Cultural Heritage Artefacts and Archives Using Ionizing Radiation

The IAEA recently published this comprehensive best practices document to support the use of irradiation for the preservation of artefacts and conservation of cultural heritage.

Introduction to the document taken from the IAEA website: ‘Cultural heritage artifacts hold immense historical and societal value, as they reflect the origins, identity and essence of multiple generations. However, the organic materials in these artifacts are prone to biodegradation, accelerated by factors like climate change. To address this issue, the IAEA has supported extensive research into radiation technology as a viable means of safeguarding and conserving cultural heritage. This publication serves as a manual for cultural heritage protection, bridging the gap between radiation science and heritage conservation and explaining how radiation treatments offer swift, effective disinfection that surpass conventional methods.’

The document can be accessed at this link to the IAEA website →

Many of the authors and contributors to this IAEA publication are now working with the iia on production of a new document that introduces this irradiation application and summarises its use globally. This iia document will be published in early 2026.