Abstract

ISO 18589-3:2007 specifies the identification and the measurement of the activity in soils of a large number of gamma-emitting radionuclides using gamma spectrometry. This non-destructive method, applicable to large-volume samples (up to about 3 000 cm³), covers the determination in a single measurement of all the g-emitters present for which the photon energy is between 5 keV and 3 MeV.

ISO 18589-3:2007 can be applied by test laboratories performing routine radioactivity measurements as a majority of radionuclides is characterized by gamma-ray emission between 40 keV and 2 MeV.

ISO 18589-3:2007 is suitable for the surveillance of the environment and the inspection of a site and allows, in case of accidents, a quick evaluation of gamma activity.