Will gamma radiation cause "thermal" decomposition of sodium bicarbonate? I am conducting research for a new drug that contains powdered sodium bicarbonate, and the drug will need to be sterilized after placement into it's container/closure system. Typically, this is performed with steam, at 122.5 °C for 15 minutes, but in the case of sodium bicarbonate, this would cause decomposition:

$$\ce{2 NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2}$$

The alternative is to sterilize with ionizing (gamma) radiation. Will this also cause decomposition? Any help or referral to another authority is much appreciated.
There is an equilibrium between decomposition and recombination, i.e. as $\ce{CO2}$ is given off, it joins back to the  $\ce{Na2CO3}$ to form $\ce{NaHCO3}$. 


  $\ce{2NaHCO3 &lt;--&gt;Na2CO3 + CO2}$


So for moderate doses, given at moderate rates, it's unlikely great pressure would develop, but you'd need to test to see if the drug is degraded by decomposition products.