Medical-grade X-ray technology, aimed at microbial DNA.
RAD-C treats product with the Rad Source 420XL — a purpose-built cannabis decontamination system from Rad Source Technologies, whose photon emission technology comes from medical irradiation.
Break the DNA, and the microbe is finished.
The 420XL generates high-energy photons — X-rays — using Rad Source's patented Quastar® emitter. When photons pass through contaminated product, they shatter the DNA of microorganisms in their path: Aspergillus and other fungi, yeasts, molds, and bacteria including Salmonella.
An organism with broken DNA can't replicate. It can't form colonies on a test plate, can't produce new spores, and can't regrow later in packaging — which is why DNA damage addresses regrowth concerns in a way surface kills don't.
Cannabinoids and terpenes aren't organisms and have no DNA — the mechanism that destroys a mold spore has nothing equivalent to attack in THC, CBD, or aroma compounds.
What makes X-ray treatment different.
Penetrates the whole product
X-rays pass through dense flower and most packaging — treatment reaches the center of the bud and the inside of a sealed Mylar bag, not just exposed surfaces. UV and gas methods stop at what they can touch.
Non-thermal
The process doesn't cook the product. There's no heat step to dry flower out, flash off terpenes, or change texture.
No chemicals, no residue
Nothing is sprayed, gassed, or applied. Photons pass through and are gone — nothing is left behind on the product.
No radioactive material
The Quastar emitter is electrically powered — it switches on and off like a light bulb and contains no radioactive isotopes. Treated product does not become radioactive, ever.
From blood banks to cannabis.
Rad Source Technologies builds photon irradiation systems used in medical and research settings, including blood irradiation — applications where reliability and dose precision are non-negotiable. The 420 series applies that same engineering to cannabis decontamination. RAD-C's team has in-depth working knowledge of the system and direct relationships with the people who develop and manufacture it.
The manufacturer reports its 420-series systems achieve a 99.9% reduction of harmful microbials and have minimal-to-no effect on cannabinoids, terpenes, and moisture. Independent peer-reviewed research on X-ray cannabis decontamination likewise found Aspergillus rendered non-viable with cannabinoid and terpene profiles not significantly altered.
Ionizing treatment itself has a long public-health track record: food irradiation with X-rays is an established, internationally recognized practice for pathogen control.
Performance figures above are the manufacturer's published claims for Rad Source 420-series systems. Results for any individual lot depend on its contamination level and condition — see our FAQ for an honest discussion of outcomes.
X-ray vs. other remediation methods.
| Method | Reaches inside dense flower | Heat involved | Chemicals / residue | Treats sealed packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-ray (RAD-C) | Yes — full penetration | No | None | Yes (no glass/metal) |
| Radio frequency (RF) | Yes | Yes — thermal process | None | Varies |
| Ozone gas | Surface-oriented | No | Oxidizing gas exposure | No |
| UV light | No — line of sight only | No | None | No |
General characteristics of each method category as described in industry and trade literature; individual systems vary.
Questions about the technology?
Our staff can walk you through how treatment applies to your specific product and packaging — no obligation.