ASTM D7784-20

Standard Practice for the Rapid Assessment of Gamma-ray Emitting Radionuclides in Environmental Media by Gamma Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice was developed for the rapid determination of gamma-emitting radionuclides in environmental media. The results of the test may be used to determine if the activity of these radionuclides in the sample exceeds the action level for the relevant incident or emergency response. The detection limits will be dependent on sample size, counting configuration, and the detector system in use.  
5.2 In most cases, a sample container which is large in diameter and short in height relative to the detector will provide the best gamma-ray detection efficiency. For samples of water or other low-Z materials (for example, vegetation), the re-entrant or Marinelli-style beaker may yield the best gamma-ray detection efficiency.  
5.3 The density of the sample material and physical parameters of the sample container (for example, diameter, height, material) may have significant consequences for the accuracy of the sample analysis as compared to the calibration. For this reason, the ideal calibration material and container (often referred to as ‘geometry’) will be exactly the same as the samples to be analyzed. Differences in sample container or sample matrix may introduce significant errors in detector response, especially at low gamma-ray energies. Every effort should be made to account for these differences if the exact calibration geometry is not available.  
5.4 This practice establishes an empirical gamma-ray spectrometer calibration using standards traceable to the SI via a national metrology institute (NMI) such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the United Kingdom in a specific geometry selected to ensure that the container, density, and composition of the standard matches that of the samples as closely as possible. However, in some cases it may be beneficial to modify such initial calibrations using mathematical modeling or extrapolations to an alternate geometry. Use...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the quantification of radionuclides in environmental media (for example, water, soil, vegetation, food) by means of simple preparation and counting with a high-resolution gamma ray detector. Because the practice is designed for rapid analysis, extensive efforts to ensure homogeneity or ideal sample counting conditions are not taken.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2020
• ICS: 17.240 - Radiation measurements
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.04 - Methods of Radiochemical Analysis

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D7902-20 - Standard Terminology for Radiochemical Analyses
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7784 − 20
Standard Practice for the
Rapid Assessment of Gamma-ray Emitting Radionuclides in
1
Environmental Media by Gamma Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7784; 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 D7902Terminology for Radiochemical Analyses
2.2 Other Documents:
1.1 This practice covers the quantification of radionuclides
3
BIPM-5Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP)
in environmental media (for example, water, soil, vegetation,
4
NUDAT2
food) by means of simple preparation and counting with a
high-resolution gamma ray detector. Because the practice is
3. Terminology
designed for rapid analysis, extensive efforts to ensure homo-
3.1 Definitions:
geneity or ideal sample counting conditions are not taken.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Terminologies D1129 and D7902.
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
providedforinformationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.
4. Summary of Practice
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Following sample collection, sample material is placed
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in a suitable container for analysis by a gamma spectrometry
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
system. A suitable container is defined as a container which
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
willbothholdthesampleinafixedgeometryandforwhichthe
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
gamma spectrometry system has been calibrated. For solid
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
samples, the samples may be ground, sieved, or otherwise
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
preparedforthepurposeofvolumereduction,homogenization,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
or conformance to the calibration standard, as desired.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Significance and Use
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 This practice was developed for the rapid determination
of gamma-emitting radionuclides in environmental media.The
2. Referenced Documents
results of the test may be used to determine if the activity of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
these radionuclides in the sample exceeds the action level for
C998Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
the relevant incident or emergency response. The detection
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
limits will be dependent on sample size, counting
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
configuration, and the detector system in use.
Streams
5.2 In most cases, a sample container which is large in
D3649PracticeforHigh-ResolutionGamma-RaySpectrom-
diameter and short in height relative to the detector will
etry of Water
provide the best gamma-ray detection efficiency. For samples
D7282Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control
ofwaterorotherlow-Zmaterials(forexample,vegetation),the
of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
re-entrantorMarinelli-stylebeakermayyieldthebestgamma-
ray detection efficiency.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and
5.3 The density of the sample material and physical param-
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical
eters of the sample container (for example, diameter, height,
Analysis.
material) may have significant consequences for the accuracy
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2020. Published January 2021. Originally
of the sample analysis as compared to the calibration. For this
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D7784 – 12. DOI:
10.1520/D7784-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from BIPM, Sèvres Cedex, France, https://www.bipm.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from National Nuclear Data Center at Brookhaven National
the ASTM website. Laboratory, W Princeton Ave, Yaphank, NY 11980, http://www.nndc.bnl.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D7784 − 12 D7784 − 20
Standard Practice for the
Rapid Assessment of Gamma-ray Emitting Radionuclides in
1
Environmental Media by Gamma Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7784; 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 practice covers the quantification of radionuclides in environmental media (e.g., (for example, water, soil, vegetation,
food) by means of simple preparation and counting with a high-resolution gamma ray detector. Because the practice is designed
for rapid analysis, extensive efforts to ensure homogeneity or ideal sample counting conditions are not taken.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information purposes only.only and are not considered standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D3649 Practice for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
D7902 Terminology for Radiochemical Analyses
2.2 Other Documents:
PCNUDAT data filesBIPM-5 National Nuclear Data Center, Brookhaven National Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP)Lab,
3
Upton, NY, USA
4
NUDAT2
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical Analysis.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012Dec. 15, 2020. Published November 2012January 2021. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as
D7784 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D7784-12.10.1520/D7784-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from BIPM, Sèvres Cedex, France, https://www.bipm.org.
4
Available from National Nuclear Data Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory, W Princeton Ave, Yaphank, NY 11980, http://www.nndc.bnl.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7784 − 20
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions: for definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminologies D1129 and D7902.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Following sample collection, sample material is placed in a suitable container for analysis by a gamma spectrometry system.
A suitable container is defined as a container which will both hold the sample in a fixed geometry and for which the gamma
spectrometry system has been calibrated. For solid samples, the samples may be ground, sieved, or otherwise prepared for the
purpose of volume reduction, homogenization, or conformance to the calibration standard, as desired.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice was developed for the rapid determination of gamma-emitting radionuclides in environmental media. The results
of the test may be used to determine if the activity of these radionuclides in the sample exceeds the action level for the relevant
incident or emergency response. The detection limits will be dependent on sample size, counting configuration, and the detector
system in use.
5.2 In most cases, a sample containe
...