EN ISO 18589-4:2021 PDF

Measurement of radioactivity in the environment - Soil - Part 4: Plutonium 238 and plutonium 239 + 240 - Test method using alpha spectrometry (ISO 18589-4:2019)

Title (English):

EN ISO 18589-4:2021

Measurement of radioactivity in the environment - Soil - Part 4: Plutonium 238 and plutonium 239 + 240 - Test method using alpha spectrometry (ISO 18589-4:2019)

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 32
Publication date:: August 4, 2021
Edition:: CEN EN 18589 edition 1 version 1
ICS:: 13.080.01

Document language:

enru

Delivery time:1–7 days

Price:82 €

Description (English):

This document describes a method for measuring 238Pu and 239 + 240 isotopes in soil by alpha spectrometry samples using chemical separation techniques. The method can be used for any type of environmental study or monitoring. These techniques can also be used for measurements of very low levels of activity, one or two orders of magnitude less than the level of natural alpha-emitting radionuclides. The test methods described in this document can also be used to measure the radionuclides in sludge, sediment, construction material and products following proper sampling procedure[2][3][4][5][7][8]. The mass of the test portion required depends on the assumed activity of the sample and the desired detection limit. In practice, it can range from 0,1 g to 100 g of the test sample.

Technical details

Technical committee: CEN/TC 430 - Nuclear energy, nuclear technologies, and radiological protection
SKU: EN ISO 18589-4:2021

Abstract

Overview

EN ISO 18589-4:2021 (ISO 18589-4:2019) specifies a laboratory test method for measuring plutonium isotopes (238Pu and 239+240Pu) in soil using alpha spectrometry combined with chemical separation techniques. Adopted by CEN as a European Standard, this document is part of the ISO 18589 series on measurement of radioactivity in the environment and supports reliable, comparable environmental radioactivity data for monitoring and radiological protection.

Key topics and technical requirements

Scope and applicability: Method covers soil and, with correct sampling, can be applied to sludge, sediment, construction materials and products.
Analytical principle: Describes chemical desorption and separation of plutonium followed by preparation of an alpha-emitting source and measurement by alpha spectrometry.
Source preparation options: Includes electro-deposition and co‑precipitation preparation routes (detailed in annexes).
Sample mass: Test portion mass depends on expected activity and detection limit; practical range 0.1 g to 100 g.
Low-level detection: Procedures enable measurement at activities one to two orders of magnitude below natural alpha-emitting radionuclide levels.
Quality aspects: Guidance on background determination, measurement, expression of results, calculation of activity per unit mass, standard uncertainty, decision threshold, detection limit and confidence limits.
Supporting material: Informative annexes provide detailed procedures for desorption, solvent extraction, anion-exchange and specific resin separations, and source preparation.

Practical applications and users

This standard is intended for laboratories and organizations involved in:

Environmental monitoring and routine soil surveillance around nuclear sites and industrial facilities.
Radiological assessment of contaminated land, sediments and sludge.
Construction material and product testing where radionuclide content must be evaluated.
Research and emergency response requiring precise low-level plutonium determinations. Typical users: accredited environmental testing laboratories, national and local regulators, nuclear operators, academic researchers and consultants in radiological protection.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 18589 series on radioactivity measurement in the environment.
Cross-references ISO 18589-2 (general guidance on sampling and measurement practices) and other parts in the series for matrix- and technique-specific requirements.

Keywords: EN ISO 18589-4:2021, ISO 18589-4, alpha spectrometry, plutonium measurement, Pu-238, Pu-239+240, soil monitoring, environmental radioactivity, chemical separation, detection limit, radiological protection.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Scope and applicability: Method covers soil and, with correct sampling, can be applied to sludge, sediment, construction materials and products.
Analytical principle: Describes chemical desorption and separation of plutonium followed by preparation of an alpha-emitting source and measurement by alpha spectrometry.
Source preparation options: Includes electro-deposition and co‑precipitation preparation routes (detailed in annexes).
Sample mass: Test portion mass depends on expected activity and detection limit; practical range 0.1 g to 100 g.
Low-level detection: Procedures enable measurement at activities one to two orders of magnitude below natural alpha-emitting radionuclide levels.
Quality aspects: Guidance on background determination, measurement, expression of results, calculation of activity per unit mass, standard uncertainty, decision threshold, detection limit and confidence limits.
Supporting material: Informative annexes provide detailed procedures for desorption, solvent extraction, anion-exchange and specific resin separations, and source preparation.

Practical applications and users

This standard is intended for laboratories and organizations involved in:

Environmental monitoring and routine soil surveillance around nuclear sites and industrial facilities.
Radiological assessment of contaminated land, sediments and sludge.
Construction material and product testing where radionuclide content must be evaluated.
Research and emergency response requiring precise low-level plutonium determinations. Typical users: accredited environmental testing laboratories, national and local regulators, nuclear operators, academic researchers and consultants in radiological protection.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 18589 series on radioactivity measurement in the environment.
Cross-references ISO 18589-2 (general guidance on sampling and measurement practices) and other parts in the series for matrix- and technique-specific requirements.

EN ISO 18589-4:2021 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Measurement of radioactivity in the environment — Soil — Part 4: Plutonium 238 and plutonium 239 + 240 — Test…

Measurement of radioactivity in the environment. Soil - General guidelines and definitions

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Measurement of radioactivity in the environment - Soil - Part 4: Plutonium 238 and plutonium 239 + 240 - Test…