ASTM D6327-10

Standard Test Method for Determination of Radon Decay Product Concentration and Working Level in Indoor Atmospheres by Active Sampling on a Filter

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The test method provides a relatively simple method for determination of the concentration of RDP without the need for specialty equipment built expressly for such purposes.
Using this test method will afford investigators of radon in dwellings a technique by which the RDP can be determined. The use of the results of this test method are generally for diagnostic purposes and are not necessarily indicative of results that might be obtained by longer term measurement methods.
An improved understanding of the frequency of elevated radon in buildings and the health effect of exposure has increased the importance of knowledge of actual exposures. The measurement of RDP, which are the direct cause of potential adverse health effects, should be conducted in a manner that is uniform and reproducible; it is to this end that this test method is addressed.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides instruction for using the grab sampling filter technique to determine accurate and reproducible measurements of indoor radon decay product (RDP) concentrations and of the working level value corresponding to those concentrations.
1.2 Measurements made in accordance with this test method will produce RDP concentrations representative of closed-building conditions. Results of measurements made under closed-building conditions will have a smaller variability and are more reproducible than measurements obtained when building conditions are not controlled. This test method may be utilized under non-controlled conditions, but a greater degree of variability in the results will occur. Variability in the results may also be an indication of temporal variability present at the sampling site.
1.3 This test method utilizes a short sampling period and the results are indicative of the conditions only at the place and time of sampling. The results obtained by this test method are not necessarily indicative of longer terms of sampling and should not be confused with such results. The averaging of multiple measurements over hours and days can, however, provide useful screening information. Individual measurements are generally obtained for diagnostic purposes.
1.4 The range of the test method may be considered from 0.0005 WL to unlimited working levels (WL), and from 40 Bq/m3 to unlimited for each individual randon decay product.
1.5 This test method provides information on equipment, procedures, and quality control. It provides for measurements within typical residential or building environments and may not necessarily apply to specialized circumstances, for example, clean rooms.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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.  See Section 9 for additional precautions.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2010
• ICS: 13.040.01 - Air quality in general
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.05 - Indoor Air

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6327-98(2004) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Radon Decay Product Concentration and Working Level in Indoor Atmospheres by Active Sampling on a Filter
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6327 − 10
StandardTest Method for
Determination of Radon Decay Product Concentration and
Working Level in Indoor Atmospheres by Active Sampling
1
on a Filter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6327; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This test method provides instruction for using the grab
standard.
sampling filter technique to determine accurate and reproduc-
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ible measurements of indoor radon decay product (RDP)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
concentrationsandoftheworkinglevelvaluecorrespondingto
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
those concentrations.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.2 Measurementsmadeinaccordancewiththistestmethod
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 9 for
will produce RDP concentrations representative of closed-
additional precautions.
building conditions. Results of measurements made under
2. Referenced Documents
closed-building conditions will have a smaller variability and
2
are more reproducible than measurements obtained when
2.1 ASTM Standards:
buildingconditionsarenotcontrolled.Thistestmethodmaybe
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
utilized under non-controlled conditions, but a greater degree
Atmospheres
of variability in the results will occur. Variability in the results
D1605Practices for Sampling Atmospheres for Analysis of
3
may also be an indication of temporal variability present at the
Gases and Vapors (Withdrawn 1992)
sampling site.
D3631Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric
Pressure
1.3 Thistestmethodutilizesashortsamplingperiodandthe
E1Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
results are indicative of the conditions only at the place and
time of sampling. The results obtained by this test method are
3. Terminology
not necessarily indicative of longer terms of sampling and
3.1 Definitions— For definitions of terms used in this test
should not be confused with such results. The averaging of
method, refer to Terminology D1356.
multiple measurements over hours and days can, however,
provide useful screening information. Individual measure-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ments are generally obtained for diagnostic purposes.
3.2.1 radon—the particular isotope Radon-222.
3.2.2 radon decay products (RDP)—any or all of the par-
1.4 The range of the test method may be considered from
ticular isotopes polonium-218, bismuth-214, lead-214, and
0.0005 WL to unlimited working levels (WL), and from 40
polonium-214.
Bq/m3 to unlimited for each individual randon decay product.
3.2.3 grab sampling—the act and all procedures involved
1.5 This test method provides information on equipment,
with obtaining a short term sample through the use of an
procedures, and quality control. It provides for measurements
operating air pump.
within typical residential or building environments and may
3.2.4 working level—quantity of short-lived decay products
not necessarily apply to specialized circumstances, for
6
that will result in 1.3 × 10 MeV of potential alpha energy per
example, clean rooms.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D6327–98 (2004). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D6327-10. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6327 − 10
liter of air. The working level is the common unit for 7. Apparatus
expressing environmental RDP exposure.
7.1 Collection Apparatus:
7.1.1 Air pump capable of 10 to 12 L/min flow rate.
4
4. Summary of Test Method
7.1.2 Bubble tube airflow calibration cell, 1 L or larger.
7.1.3 Calibrated dry gas meter.
4.1 Grab sampling measurements of RDPconcentrations in
7.1.4 Flow meter (optional).
airare
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6327–98 (Reapproved 2004) Designation:D6327–10
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Radon Decay Product Concentration and
Working Level in Indoor Atmospheres by Active Sampling
1
on a Filter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6327; 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
1.1 This test method provides instruction for using the grab sampling filter technique to determine accurate and reproducible
measurements of indoor radon decay product (RDP) concentrations and of the working level value corresponding to those
concentrations.
1.2 Measurements made in accordance with this test method will produce RDPconcentrations representative of closed-building
conditions. Results of measurements made under closed-building conditions will have a smaller variability and are more
reproducible than measurements obtained when building conditions are not controlled. This test method may be utilized under
non-controlled conditions, but a greater degree of variability in the results will occur. Variability in the results may also be an
indication of temporal variability present at the sampling site.
1.3 This test method utilizes a short sampling period and the results are indicative of the conditions only at the place and time
of sampling. The results obtained by this test method are not necessarily indicative of longer terms of sampling and should not
be confused with such results. The averaging of multiple measurements over hours and days can, however, provide useful
screening information. Individual measurements are generally obtained for diagnostic purposes.
1.4 The range of the test method may be considered from 0.0005 WL to unlimited working levels (WL), and from 40 Bq/m3
to unlimited for each individual randon decay product.
1.5 This test method provides information on equipment, procedures, and quality control. It provides for measurements within
typicalresidentialorbuildingenvironmentsandmaynotnecessarilyapplytospecializedcircumstances,forexample,cleanrooms.
1.6
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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. See Section 9 for additional precautions.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D1605 Practices for Sampling Atmospheres for Analysis of Gases and Vapors
D3631 Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Pressure
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions— For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D1356.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 radon—the particular isotope Radon-222.
3.2.2 radon decay products (RDP)—any or all of the particular isotopes polonium-218, bismuth-214, lead-214, and
polonium-214.
3.2.3 grab sampling—the act and all procedures involved with obtaining a short term sample through the use of an operating
air pump.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air.
Current edition approved FebruaryMay 1, 2004.2010. Published March 2004.June 2010. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 19982004 as
D6327 - 98R04. DOI: 10.1520/D6327-98R04.10.1520/D6327-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6327–10
6
3.2.4 working level—quantity of short-lived decay products that will result in 1.3 3 10 MeVof potential alpha energy per liter
of air. The working level is the common unit for expressing environmental RDP exposure.
3
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 G
...