ASTM D5928-96(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Screening of Waste for Radioactivity
Standard Test Method for Screening of Waste for Radioactivity
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Most facilities disposing or utilizing waste materials are prohibited from handling wastes that contain radioactive materials. This test method provides the user a rapid method for screening waste material samples in the field or laboratory for the presence or absence of radioactivity at userestablished criteria. It is important to these facilities to be able to verify generator-supplied information that radioactive or mixed wastes have not been included in shipments of waste materials.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the screening for , , and radiation above ambient background levels or user-defined criteria, or both, in liquid, sludge, or solid waste materials.
1.2 This test method is intended to be a gross screening method for determining the presence or absence of radioactive materials in liquid, sludge, or solid waste materials. It is not intended to replace more sophisticated quantitative analytical techniques, but to provide a method for rapidly screening samples for radioactivity above ambient background levels or user-defined criteria, or both, for facilities prohibited from handling radioactive waste.
1.3 This test method may not be suitable for applications such as site assessments and remediation activities.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 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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Designation:D5928–96 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Screening of Waste for Radioactivity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5928; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope the meter, or both, is noted. The user defines an application/
project specific “negative” and “positive” result criteria. A
1.1 This test method covers the screening for a, b, and g
“negative” test result indicates radiation levels are below the
radiation above ambient background levels or user-defined
user-established criteria; a “positive” test result indicates the
criteria, or both, in liquid, sludge, or solid waste materials.
radiation levels are above the user-established criteria.
1.2 This test method is intended to be a gross screening
method for determining the presence or absence of radioactive
5. Significance and Use
materials in liquid, sludge, or solid waste materials. It is not
5.1 Most facilities disposing or utilizing waste materials are
intended to replace more sophisticated quantitative analytical
prohibited from handling wastes that contain radioactive ma-
techniques, but to provide a method for rapidly screening
terials. This test method provides the user a rapid method for
samples for radioactivity above ambient background levels or
screening waste material samples in the field or laboratory for
user-defined criteria, or both, for facilities prohibited from
the presence or absence of radioactivity at userestablished
handling radioactive waste.
criteria. It is important to these facilities to be able to verify
1.3 This test method may not be suitable for applications
generator-supplied information that radioactive or mixed
such as site assessments and remediation activities.
wastes have not been included in shipments of waste materials.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.
6. Interferences
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
6.1 Needle deflections or audible clicks of the survey meter,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
or both, occur due to naturally occurring omni-directional
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
background radiation. This level of ambient background radia-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tion should be periodically assessed. See Section 10.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.2 Possible sources of interference include pacemakers,
X-ray generating equipment, radium-based luminescent dials,
2. Referenced Documents
2 polonium-based static eliminators, and smoke detectors con-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
taining a radioactive isotope sensing mechanism. Such inter-
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
ferencescanusuallybetracedtotheirsourceusingtheportable
3. Terminology instrument specified in this test method.
6.3 A large amount of potassium in the waste sample may
3.1 For terminology related to radioactive materials, see
produce a positive result due to the natural presence of the
Terminology C859.
radioactive isotope, Potassium-40.
4. Summary of Test Method 6.4 The sensitivity of this test method to beta and gamma
radiation may be dependent on sample volume.Asmall sample
4.1 Asample is held within 6 mm of the detector window of
volume with readings near background levels may give a false
a radiation survey meter, and the visible or audible reaction of
negative result.
3 14
6.5 Some radioactive isotopes, such as H and C, may not
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
emit radiation of sufficient energy to be detected. If suspected
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on
to be present in the waste, another procedure should be used
Screening Methods.
that is appropriate to their determination.
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D5928 – 96. DOI:
6.6 Liquidsamples,aswellasmoistureinsolidsamples,are
10.1520/D5928-96R03.
goodattenuatorsofradiationandwillhinderdetectionofmany
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
radionuclides unless they emit high-energy gamma radiation.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The possible inability to detect alpha particles and low-level
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5928–96 (2003)
beta emissions that may be attenuated, in many cases, should testedseparately.Solidsamplesshouldbethoroughlymixedby
not be a serious shortcoming in this test method because these a method appropriate to their size and physical characteristics.
emissions are often accompanied by higher energy gamma
10. Calibration and Standardization
emissions.
6.6.1 Moisture-laden Americium-241 bearing waste would
10.1 Check the battery power source of the survey meter
beacasewherethereisahighprobabilityofnon-detectiondue
prior to use. If the battery check indicates that the battery
to attenuation.
charge is not in the optimal power range, it must be replaced
6.7 Surveymetercontaminationcancauseartificiallylowor
prior to use.
high results when reading standard sources or ambient back-
10.2 Check the survey meter’s performance at least daily
ground. If this occurs, the survey meter performance shall be
using the a, b, and g check sources. This is done by observing
considered unreliable and should be appropriately decontami-
the survey meter response when held within 6 mm of each
nated by qualified personnel, or disposed of in accordance with
check standard. At a minimum, check sources should be >2
applicable regulations.
times the ambient background. The check sources listed in 9.1
6.8 The radiation monitor should be operated in accordance
far exceed this requirement.
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
10.3 The su
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