Samples of high-purity low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film were irradiated to doses in the range 0 to 104Gy in a60Co gamma source. Following irradiation, the charging current for applied fields up to 1.3 × 108V m−1and the subsequent short-circuit discharging current were each monitored for 10 min. Finally the dielectric breakdown strength was determined upon the application of a 10 kV/μs voltage ramp. The samples were maintained at 5 K throughout the irradiation and the electrical measurements. The results show that60Co gamma radiation has no significant effect on either the conductivity or dielectric breakdown strength of LDPE at 5 K for doses up to 104Gy. The measurements also suggest that the dominant charge transport process observed in the present work is due to some form of polarisation.