ASTM D3648-03
(Practice)Standard Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
Standard Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover a review of the accepted counting practices currently used in radiochemical analyses. The practices are divided into four sections:Section General Information 6 to 11Alpha Counting 12 to 22Beta Counting 23 to 33Gamma Counting 34 to 41
1.2 The general information sections contain information applicable to all types of radioactive measurements, while each of the other sections is specific for a particular type of radiation.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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An American National Standard
Designation: D 3648 – 03
Standard Practices for the
1
Measurement of Radioactivity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3648; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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1. Scope 2.2 ANSI/ISO Standards:
ANSI N42.14 Calibration and Use of Germanium Spec-
1.1 These practices cover a review of the accepted counting
trometers for the Measurement of Gamma-Ray Emission
practices currently used in radiochemical analyses. The prac-
Rates of Radionuclides
tices are divided into four sections:
ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measure-
Section
ment, 1993
General Information 6 to 11
Alpha Counting 12 to 22
Beta Counting 23 to 33
3. Terminology
Gamma Counting 34 to 41
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The general information sections contain information
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these practices, refer
applicable to all types of radioactive measurements, while each
to Terminology D 1129. For an explanation of the metric
of the other sections is specific for a particular type of
system, including units, symbols, and conversion factors, see
radiation.
Practice E 380.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4. Summary of Practices
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 The practices are a compilation of the various counting
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
techniques employed in the measurement of radioactivity. The
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
important variables that affect the accuracy or precision of
counting data are presented. Because a wide variety of instru-
2. Referenced Documents
ments and techniques are available for radiochemical labora-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tories, the types of instruments and techniques to be selected
2
D 1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
will be determined by the information desired. In a simple
2
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
tracer application using a single radioactive isotope having
D 1943 Test Method for Alpha Particle Radioactivity of
favorable properties of high purity, energy, and ample activity,
3
Water
a simple detector will probably be sufficient and techniques
4
D 2459 Test Method for Gamma Spectrometry of Water
may offer no problems other than those related to reproduc-
3
D 3084 Practice for Alpha Spectrometry of Water
ibility. The other extreme would be a laboratory requiring
D 3085 Practice for Measurement of Low-Level Activity in
quantitative identification of a variety of radionuclides, prepa-
3
Water
ration of standards, or studies of the characteristic radiation
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con-
from radionuclides. For the latter, a variety of specialized
2
duits
instruments are required. Most radiochemical laboratories
D 3649 Test Method for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray
require a level of information between these two extremes.
3
Spectrometry of Water
4.2 A basic requirement for accurate measurements is the
E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
use of accurate standards for instrument calibration. With the
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(SI) (the Modernized Metric System)
present availability of good standards, only the highly diverse
radiochemistry laboratories require instrumentation suitable
for producing their own radioactive standards. However, it is
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These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
advisable to compare each new standard received against the
and are the direct responsibility of D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical Analysis.
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published May 2003. Originally previous standard.
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 1995 as D 3648 – 95.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
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Discontinued—See 1987 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01. Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02 (Excerpts in Vol 11.02). 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D3648–03
4.3 Thus, the typical laboratory may be equipped with 7.1.3 Instrumentation should never be located in a chemical
proportional or Geiger-Mueller counters for beta counting, laboratory where corrosive vapors will cause rapid deteriora-
sodium iodide or germanium detectors, or both, in conjunction tion and f
...
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