International Standard
ISO 23548:2024
Measurement of radioactivity — Alpha emitting radionuclides — Generic test method using alpha spectrometry
Reference number
ISO 23548:2024
Edition 1
2024-09
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ISO 23548:2024
76022
Published (Edition 1, 2024)

ISO 23548:2024

ISO 23548:2024
76022
Language
Format
CHF 173
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Abstract

This document describes a generic test method for measuring alpha emitting radionuclides, for all types of samples (soil, sediment, construction material, foodstuff, water, airborne, environmental bio-indicator, human biological samples as urine, faeces etc.) by alpha spectrometry. This method can be used for any type of environmental study or monitoring of alpha emitting radionuclides activities.

If relevant, this test method requires appropriate sample pre-treatment followed by specific chemical separation of the test portion in order to obtain a thin source proper to alpha spectrometry measurement.

This test method can be used to determine the activity, specific activity or activity concentration of a sample containing alpha emitting radionuclides such as 210Po, 226Ra, 228Th, 229Th, 230Th, 232Th, 232U,234U, 235U, 238U, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am or 243+244Cm.

This test method can be used to measure very low levels of activity, one or two orders of magnitude less than the usual natural levels of alpha emitting radionuclides. Annexes B of UNSCEAR 2000 and UNSCEAR 2008 (References [4] and [5]) give, respectively, typical natural activity concentrations for air, foods, drinking waters and, soils and building materials. The detection limit of the test method depends on the amount of the sample material analysed (mass or volume) after concentration, chemical yield, thickness of measurement source and counting time.

The quantity of the sample to be collected and analysed depends on the expected activity of the sample and the detection limit to achieve.

General information

  •  : Published
     : 2024-09
    : International Standard published [60.60]
  •  : 1
     : 37
  • ISO/TC 85/SC 2
    17.240 
  • RSS updates

Sustainable Development Goals

This standard contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goal

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