NBN EN ISO 18589-6:2021

Measurement of radioactivity in the environment - Soil - Part 6: Gross alpha and gross beta activities - Test method using gas-flow proportional counting (ISO 18589-6:2019)

ACTIVE

About this standard

Languages
German, English and French
Type
NBN
Standards committee
CEN/TC 430
Status
ACTIVE
Publication date
07 August 2021
ICS Code
13.080.01 (Soil quality and pedology in general)
17.240 (Radiation measurements)
Withdrawn Date

About this training

Summary

This document provides a method that allows an estimation of gross radioactivity of alpha- and beta-emitters present in soil samples. It applies, essentially, to systematic inspections based on comparative measurements or to preliminary site studies to guide the testing staff both in the choice of soil samples for measurement as a priority and in the specific analysis methods for implementation.
The gross α or β radioactivity is generally different from the sum of the effective radioactivities of the radionuclides present since, by convention, the same alpha counting efficiency is assigned for all the alpha emissions and the same beta counting efficiency is assigned for all the beta emissions.
Soil includes rock from bedrock and ore as well as construction materials and products, potery, etc. using naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) or those from technological processes involving Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM), e.g. the mining and processing of mineral sands or phosphate fertilizer production and use.
The test methods described in this document can also be used to assess gross radioactivity of alpha- and beta-emitters in sludge, sediment, construction material and products following proper sampling procedure[2][3][4][5][7][8].
For simplification, the term " soil" used in this document covers the set of elements mentioned above.