prEN ISO 19581

Measurement of radioactivity - Gamma emitting radionuclides - Rapid screening method using scintillation detector gamma-ray spectrometry (ISO/DIS 19581:2024)

ISO 19581 specifies a screening test method to quantify rapidly the activity concentration of gamma-emitting radionuclides, such as 131I, 132Te, 134Cs and 137Cs, in solid or liquid test samples using gamma-ray spectrometry with lower resolution scintillation detectors as compared with the HPGe detectors (see IEC 61563).
This test method can be used for the measurement of any potentially contaminated environmental matrices (including soil), food and feed samples as well as industrial materials or products that have been properly conditioned. Sample preparation techniques used in the screening method are not specified in ISO 19581, since special sample preparation techniques other than simple machining (cutting, grinding, etc.) should not be required. Although the sampling procedure is of utmost importance in the case of the measurement of radioactivity in samples, it is out of scope of ISO 19581; other international standards for sampling procedures that can be used in combination with ISO 19581 are available (see References [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6]).
The test method applies to the measurement of gamma-emitting radionuclides such as 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs. Using sample sizes of 0,5 l to 1,0 l in a Marinelli beaker and a counting time of 5 min to 20 min, decision threshold of 10 Bq·kg−1 can be achievable using a commercially available scintillation spectrometer [e.g. thallium activated sodium iodine (NaI(Tl)) spectrometer 2" ϕ × 2" detector size, 7 % resolution (FWHM) at 662 keV, 30 mm lead shield thickness].
This test method also can be performed in a "makeshift" laboratory or even outside a testing laboratory on samples directly measured in the field where they were collected.
During a nuclear or radiological emergency, this test method enables a rapid measurement of the sample activity concentration of potentially contaminated samples to check against operational intervention levels (OILs) set up by decision makers that would trigger a predetermined emergency response to reduce existing radiation risks[12].
Due to the uncertainty associated with the results obtained with this test method, test samples requiring more accurate test results can be measured using high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors gamma-ray spectrometry in a testing laboratory, following appropriate preparation of the test samples[7][8].
ISO 19581 does not contain criteria to establish the activity concentration of OILs.

Mesurage de la radioactivité - Radionucléides émetteurs gamma - Méthode d'essai de dépistage par spectrométrie gamma utilisant des détecteurs par scintillation (ISO/DIS 19581:2024)

Le présent document spécifie une méthode d'essai de présélection pour quantifier rapidement l'activité volumique des radionucléides émetteurs gamma tels que l'131I, le 132Te, le 134Cs et le 137Cs, dans des échantillons pour essai solides ou liquides par spectrométrie gamma à l'aide de détecteurs à scintillation de résolution inférieure à celle des détecteurs HPGe (voir l'IEC 61563).
Cette méthode d'essai peut être utilisée pour mesurer les matrices environnementales potentiellement contaminées (y compris le sol), les échantillons d'aliment ainsi que les matériaux ou produits industriels adéquatement conditionnés. Les techniques de préparation des échantillons utilisées dans la méthode de présélection ne sont pas spécifiées dans le présent document car, hormis un simple traitement (découpage, broyage, etc.), aucune technique spéciale de préparation des échantillons n'est requise. Même si le mode opératoire d'échantillonnage est capital dans le cas du mesurage de la radioactivité dans les échantillons, il ne fait pas partie du domaine d'application du présent document; d'autres normes internationales relatives aux modes opératoires d'échantillonnage utilisables avec le présent document sont disponibles (voir les Références [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6]).
La méthode d'essai s'applique au mesurage des radionucléides émetteurs gamma tels que l'131I, le 134Cs et le 137Cs. En utilisant des volumes d'échantillon de 0,5 l à 1,0 l dans un bécher Marinelli et une durée de comptage de 5 min à 20 min, un seuil de décision de 10 Bq kg−1 peut être obtenu à l'aide d'un spectromètre à scintillations disponible dans le commerce [par exemple spectromètre équipé d'un cristal d'iodure de sodium activé au thallium (NaI(Tl)) ayant un détecteur d'une dimension de 2" ϕ × 2", d'une résolution de 7 % (FWHM) à 662 keV, d'une épaisseur de plomb de 30 mm].
Cette méthode d'essai peut également être effectuée dans un laboratoire «improvisé» voire à l'extérieur d'un laboratoire d'essai sur des échantillons directement mesurés sur leur lieu de prélèvement.
Dans une situation d'urgence nucléaire ou radiologique, cette méthode d'essai permet de mesurer rapidement l'activité volumique d'échantillons potentiellement contaminés pour la comparer aux niveaux opérationnels d'intervention (NOI) définis par les responsables et qui devraient provoquer une intervention d'urgence prédéterminée pour réduire les risques liés aux rayonnements existants[12].
En raison de l'incertitude associée aux résultats obtenus avec cette méthode d'essai, les échantillons pour essai nécessitant des résultats d'essai plus précis peuvent être mesurés par spectrométrie gamma à détecteurs en germanium à haute pureté (HPGe) dans un laboratoire d'essai, après une préparation appropriée des échantillons pour essai[7][8].
Le présent document ne comprend aucun critère permettant d'établir l'activité volumique des NOI.

Merjenje radioaktivnosti - Radionuklidi, ki sevajo gama žarke - Metoda hitrega presejanja z uporabo scintilacijskega zaznavala in gama spektrometrije (ISO/DIS 19581:2024)

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 03-May-2026
• ICS: 17.240 - Radiation measurements
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 430 - Nuclear energy, nuclear technologies, and radiological protection
• Current Stage: 4060 - Closure of enquiry - Enquiry
• Start Date: 01-Jan-2025
• Completion Date: 01-Jan-2025
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN ISO 19581:2024 - Measurement of radioactivity - Gamma emitting radionuclides - Rapid screening method using scintillation detector gamma-ray spectrometry (ISO/DIS 19581:2024)

Relations

• Revises: EN ISO 19581:2020 - Measurement of radioactivity - Gamma emitting radionuclides - Rapid screening method using scintillation detector gamma-ray spectrometry (ISO 19581:2017)
• Effective Date: 04-Oct-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2024
Merjenje radioaktivnosti - Radionuklidi, ki sevajo gama žarke - Metoda hitrega
presejanja z uporabo scintilacijskega zaznavala in gama spektrometrije (ISO/DIS
19581:2024)
Measurement of radioactivity - Gamma emitting radionuclides - Rapid screening method
using scintillation detector gamma-ray spectrometry (ISO/DIS 19581:2024)
Mesurage de la radioactivité - Radionucléides émetteurs gamma - Méthode d'essai de
dépistage par spectrométrie gamma utilisant des détecteurs par scintillation (ISO/DIS
19581:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 19581
ICS:
17.240 Merjenje sevanja Radiation measurements
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 19581
ISO/TC 85/SC 2
Measurement of radioactivity —
Secretariat: AFNOR
Gamma emitting radionuclides
Voting begins on:
— Rapid screening method using
2024-10-09
scintillation detector gamma-ray
Voting terminates on:
spectrometry
2025-01-01
Mesurage de la radioactivité — Radionucléides émetteurs
gamma — Méthode d'essai de dépistage par spectrométrie
gamma utilisant des détecteurs par scintillation
ICS: 17.240
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Reference number
ISO/DIS 19581:2024(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 19581:2024(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 19581
ISO/TC 85/SC 2
Measurement of radioactivity —
Secretariat: AFNOR
Gamma emitting radionuclides
Voting begins on:
— Rapid screening method using
scintillation detector gamma-ray
Voting terminates on:
spectrometry
Mesurage de la radioactivité — Radionucléides émetteurs
gamma — Méthode d'essai de dépistage par spectrométrie
gamma utilisant des détecteurs par scintillation
ICS: 17.240
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2024
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 19581:2024(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 19581:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions . 2
4 Symbols . 3
5 Principle . 4
6 Apparatus . 6
7 Sample container . 7
8 Procedure . 7
8.1 Packaging of samples for measuring purposes .7
8.2 Calibration .8
8.2.1 General .8
8.2.2 Reference source .8
8.2.3 Check source .8
8.2.4 Energy calibration.8
8.2.5 Detection efficiency calibration .9
8.3 Validation of the screening level .11
8.4 Screening procedure .11
8.4.1 Total spectrum counting / Single channel analyser counting .11
8.4.2 Multichannel analyser counting . 12
8.4.3 Effect of sample density . 13
9 Test report .13
Annex A (informative) Example of application of ISO 19581 for radio-caesium screening .15
Bibliography .20

iii
ISO/DIS 19581:2024(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 85, Nuclear energy, nuclear technologies, and
radiological protection, Subcommittee SC 2, Radiological protection.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 19581:2017), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— The updated IAEA Nuclear Safety and Security Glossary was referenced.
— Informative Annex A has been updated with considering recent technological improvements.
— Editorial changes have been made.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
ISO/DIS 19581:2024(en)
Introduction
Everyone is exposed to natural radiation. The natural sources of radiation are cosmic rays and naturally
occurring radioactive substances which exist in the earth and within the human body. Human activities
involving the use of radiation and radioactive substances add to the radiation exposure from this natural
exposure. Some of those activities, such as the mining and use of ores containing naturally-occurring
radioactive materials (NORM) and the production of energy by burning coal that contains such substances,
simply enhance the exposure from natural radiation sources. Nuclear power plants and other nuclear
installations use radioactive materials and produce radioactive effluent and waste during operation and on
their decommissioning. The use of radioactive materials in industry, agriculture and research is expanding
around the globe.
All these human activities give rise to radiation exposures that are only a small fraction of the global average
level of natural exposure. The medical use of radiation is the largest and a growing human-made source of
radiation exposure in developed countries. It includes diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine
and interventional radiology.
Radiation exposure also occurs as a result of occupational activities. It is incurred by workers in industry,
medicine and research using radiation or radioactive substances, as well as by crew during air travel and
for astronauts. The average level of occupational exposures is generally below the global average level of
[1]
natural radiation exposure .
As uses of radiation increase, so do the potential health risk and the public's concerns. Thus, all these
exposures are regularly assessed in order to
a) improve the understanding of global levels and temporal trends of public and worker exposure
b) evaluate the components of exposure so as to provide a measure of their relative importance, and
c) identify emerging issues that may warrant more attention and study.
While doses to workers are mostly directly measured, doses to the public are usually assessed by indirect
methods using radioactivity measurements results performed on various sources:
...