International standardisation work on the measurement of radon in air and water

Radon is considered to be the main source of human exposure to natural radiation. As stated by the World Health Organization, the exposure due to the inhalation of indoor radon is much greater than the one via the ingestion of water as radon degasses from water during handling. In response to these concerns about the universal presence of radon, environmental assessment studies are regularly commissioned to assess the radon exposure of public and workers. The credibility of such studies relies on the quality and reliability of radon analysis as well as on the sample representativeness of the radiological situation. The standard-setting approach, based on consensus, seemed to lend itself to a settlement of technical aspects of potential comparison. At present, two Working Groups of the International Standardization Organization are focussing on drafting standards on radon and its decay products measurement in air and water. These standards, which aim for a set of rigorous metrology practices, will be useful for persons in charge of the initial characterisation of a site with respect to natural radioactivity as well as to those performing the routine surveillance of specific site

Development of a methodology to characterize radon entry in dwellings

International audienceRadon measurement in buildings is generally performed by means of passive integrated radon measurements over a few months period. This long time period is necessary to assess the average indoor radon activity concentration due to its high variability along time. However, it could become problematic to deal efficiently with radon management, especially if radon measurement has to be carried out before each real estate transaction.The objective of this study was to test the ability of a rapid protocol to characterize radon entry in dwellings. An individual dwelling was rented during one year. Indoor, outdoor and soil radon activity concentrations were measured continuously with other parameters such as indoor temperature and meteorological conditions. Different tests using a blower door were performed and ventilation rate, indoor depressurization and indoor radon activity concentration evolution were measured. Experimental results show that it is possible to obtain an experimentally derived power law function of radon entry from the ground with acceptable repeatability. Also this power law function, when integrated in a building ventilation model, enables approximation of the measured annual average indoor radon activity concentration of the tested dwelling. In addition, the annual average indoor radon activity concentration was successfully assessed by using analytical simplified infiltration model based on the knowledge of some building characteristics and of this experimental radon entry function. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

ISO standards on test methods for water radioactivity monitoring

International audienceWater is vital to humans and each of us needs at least 1.5. L of safe water a day to drink. Beginning as long ago as 1958 the World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines to help ensure water is safe to drink. Focused from the start on monitoring radionuclides in water, and continually cooperating with WHO, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) has been publishing standards on radioactivity test methods since 1978. As reliable, comparable and 'fit for purpose' results are an essential requirement for any public health decision based on radioactivity measurements, international standards of tested and validated radionuclide test methods are an important tool for production of such measurements.This paper presents the ISO standards already published that could be used as normative references by testing laboratories in charge of radioactivity monitoring of drinking water as well as those currently under drafting and the prospect of standardized fast test methods in response to a nuclear accident. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd

ISO standars on test methods for water radioactivity monitoring

Water is vital to humans and each of us needs at least 1.5 L of safe water a day to drink. Beginning as long ago as 1958 the World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines to help ensure water is safe to drink. Focused from the start on monitoring radionuclides in water, and continually cooperating with WHO, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) has been publishing standards on radioactivity test methods since 1978. As reliable, comparable and"fit for purpose" results are an essential requirement for any public health decision based on radioactivity measurements, international standards of tested and validated radionuclide test methods are an important tool for production of such measurements. This paper presents the ISO standards already published that could be used as normative references by testing laboratories in charge of radioactivity monitoring of drinking water as well as those currently under drafting and the prospect of standardized fast test methods in response to a nuclear accident

International standardisation work on the measurement of radon in air and water

Radon is considered to be the main source of human exposure to natural radiation. As stated by the World Health Organization, the exposure due to the inhalation of indoor radon is much greater than the one via the ingestion of water as radon degasses from water during handling. In response to these concerns about the universal presence of radon, environmental assessment studies are regularly commissioned to assess the radon exposure of public and workers. The credibility of such studies relies on the quality and reliability of radon analysis as well as on the sample representativeness of the radiological situation. The standard-setting approach, based on consensus, seemed to lend itself to a settlement of technical aspects of potential comparison. At present, two Working Groups of the International Standardization Organization are focussing on drafting standards on radon and its decay products measurement in air and water. These standards, which aim for a set of rigorous metrology practices, will be useful for persons in charge of the initial characterisation of a site with respect to natural radioactivity as well as to those performing the routine surveillance of specific sites. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved