This document describes the methods for determining the activity in becquerel (Bq) of gamma-ray
emitting radionuclides in test samples by gamma-ray spectrometry. The measurements are carried out
in a testing laboratory following proper sample preparation. The test samples can be solid, liquid or
gaseous. Applications include:— routine surveillance of radioactivity released from nuclear installations or from sites discharging
enhanced levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials;— contributing to determining the evolution of radioactivity in the environment;— investigating accident and incident situations, in order to plan remedial actions and monitor their
effectiveness;— assessment of potentially contaminated waste materials from nuclear decommissioning activities;— surveillance of radioactive contamination in media such as soils, foodstuffs, potable water,
groundwaters, seawater or sewage sludge;— measurements for estimating the intake (inhalation, ingestion or injection) of activity of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in the body.
It is assumed that the user of this document has been given information on the composition of the test
sample or the site. In some cases, the radionuclides for analysis have also been specified if characteristic
limits are needed. It is also assumed that the test sample has been homogenised and is representative of
the material under test.
General guidance is included for preparing the samples for measurement. However, some types of sample
are to be prepared following the requirements of specific standards referred to in this document. The
generic recommendations can also be useful for the measurement of gamma-ray emitters in situ.
This document includes generic advice on equipment selection (see Annex A), detectors (more detailed
information is included in Annex D), and commissioning of instrumentation and method validation. Annex F summarises the influence of different measurement parameters on results for a typical gamma-ray spectrometry system. Quality control and routine maintenance are also covered, but electrical testing of the detector and pulse processing electronics is excluded. It is assumed that any data collection and analysis software used has been written and tested in accordance with relevant software standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207.
Calibration using reference sources and/or numerical methods is covered, including verification of the results. It also covers the procedure to estimate the activity content of the sample (Bq) from the spectrum.
The principles set out in this document are applicable to measurements by gamma-ray spectrometry in
testing laboratories and in situ. However, the detailed requirements for in situ measurement are given
in ISO 18589-7 and are outside the scope of this document.
This document covers, but is not restricted to, gamma-ray emitters which emit photons in the energy
range of 5 keV to 3 000 keV. However, most of the measurements fall into the range 40 keV to 2 000 keV.
The activity (Bq) ranges from the low levels (sub-Bq) found in environmental samples to activities found in accident conditions and high level radioactive wastes.Cross References:ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008ISO 5500ISO 18400-107ISO 5667-10ISO 18400-104ISO 18400-204ISO 5667-1ISO 17604ISO 18400-103ISO 18400-101ISO/IEC 17025ISO 11929ISO 18589-2ISO 542ISO 5538ISO 18400-102GUM:1995ISO 707ISO 18400-203ISO 24333ISO 18400-205ISO 10703ISO 18589-7ISO 18400-202ISO 18589-3ANSI N42.14-1999ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207IEC 1452:1995IEC 61453ISO 19581ISO 7870-2:2013ISO 13164-2:2013ISO 13779-6:2015ISO 19361:2017ISO 1998-4:1998 (R04)ISO 13165-3:2016All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.