EN ISO 22017:2020

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2021
Kakovost vode - Navodilo za hitre meritve radioaktivnosti v nujnih primerih (ISO
22017:2020)
Water quality - Guidance for rapid radioactivity measurements in nuclear or radiological
emergency situation (ISO 22017:2020)
Wasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung für Schnellverfahren zur Radioaktivitätsmessung in
nuklearen oder radiologischen Notfallsituationen (ISO 22017:2020)
Qualité de l'eau - Recommandations pour les mesurages rapides de la radioactivité en
situation d'urgence nucléaire ou radiologique (ISO 22017:2020)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 22017:2020
ICS:
13.060.60 Preiskava fizikalnih lastnosti Examination of physical
vode properties of water
13.280 Varstvo pred sevanjem Radiation protection
17.240 Merjenje sevanja Radiation measurements
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 22017
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.060.60; 13.280; 17.240
English Version
Water quality - Guidance for rapid radioactivity
measurements in nuclear or radiological emergency
situation (ISO 22017:2020)
Qualité de l'eau - Recommandations pour les Wasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung für Schnellverfahren
mesurages rapides de la radioactivité en situation zur Radioaktivitätsmessung in nuklearen oder
d'urgence nucléaire ou radiologique (ISO 22017:2020) radiologischen Notfallsituationen (ISO 22017:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 22 August 2020.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 22017:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 22017:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 147 "Water
quality" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 230 “Water analysis” the secretariat of
which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2021, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2021.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 22017:2020 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 22017:2020 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 22017
First edition
2020-08
Water quality — Guidance for rapid
radioactivity measurements in
nuclear or radiological emergency
situation
Qualité de l'eau — Recommandations pour les mesurages rapides de
la radioactivité en situation d'urgence nucléaire ou radiologique
Reference number
ISO 22017:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020
ISO 22017:2020(E)
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

ISO 22017:2020(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Guidance on emergency measurement . 4
4.1 Objective of a specific rapid measurement . 4
4.2 Routine screening levels versus intervention levels . 4
4.3 Operational intervention levels (OILs) from EU, USA and IAEA. 5
5 Rapid measurements . 5
5.1 Adaptation of the methods used . 5
5.2 Sampling . 6
5.3 Rapid test methods . 6
5.3.1 Pre-screening: Identification of most contaminated samples . 6
5.3.2 Selection of the analytical strategy . 6
5.3.3 Appropriate sample volumes and counting times related to intervention levels . 9
5.3.4 Gross-alpha and gross-beta determination and gamma spectrometry .10
5.3.5 Specific separations for alpha emitters or pure beta emitters measurement .11
6 Laboratory management to perform rapid measurements .12
6.1 Protection of laboratory staff .12
6.2 Sample management.12
6.3 Material and staff .12
6.4 Quality management .13
6.5 Expression of results and test report .13
Annex A (informative) World Health Organization screening for radionuclides in drinking
water .14
Annex B (informative) Operational Intervention Levels (OILs) from EU, US and IAEA .15
Annex C (informative) Overview of different types of rapid measurements during a nuclear
or radiological emergency.16
Annex D (informative) Example of a decision scheme for rapid measurements in the early
phase .18
Bibliography .19
ISO 22017:2020(E)
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).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on 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 the following
URL: www .iso .org/ iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 147, Water quality, SC 3, Radioactivity
measurements.
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 2020 – All rights reserved

ISO 22017:2020(E)
Introduction
Radioactivity from several naturally-occurring and anthropogenic sources is present throughout
the environment. Thus, water bodies (e.g. surface waters, ground waters, sea waters) can contain
radionuclides of natural, human made, or both origins:
40 3 14
— Natural radionuclides, including K, H, C, and those originating from the thorium and uranium
226 228 234 238 210 210
decay series, in particular Ra, Ra, U, U, Po and Pb can be found in water for
natural reasons (e.g. desorption from the soil and wash off by rain water) or can be released from
technological processes involving naturally occurring radioactive materials (e.g. the mining and
processing of mineral sands or phosphate fertilizers production and use);
— Human-made radionuclides such as transuranium elements (americium, plutonium, neptunium and
3 14 90
curium), H, C, Sr, and some gamma emitting radionuclides can also be found in natural waters.
Small quantities of these radionuclides may be discharged from nuclear fuel cycle facilities into
the environment as the result of authorized routine releases. Some of these radionuclides used for
medical and industrial applications are also released into the environment after use. Anthropogenic
radionuclides are also found in waters as the result of past fallout contaminations resulting from
the explosion in the atmosphere of nuclear devices and accidents such as those that occurred in
Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Radionuclide activity concentration in water bodies can vary according to local geological
characteristics and climatic conditions and can be locally and temporally enhanced by releases from
[1]
nuclear installation during planned, existing, and emergency exposure situations . Drinking-water
may thus contain radionuclides at activity concentrations which could present a risk to human health.
The radionuclides present in liquid effluents are usually controlled before being discharged into
[2]
the environment and water bodies. Drinking waters are monitored for their radioactivity as
[3]
recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) so that proper actions can be taken to ensure
that there is no adverse health effect to the public. Following these international recommendations,
national regulations usually specify radionuclide authorized concentration limits for liquid effluent
discharged to the environment and radionuclide guidance levels for waterbodies and drinking waters
for planned, existing, and emergency exposure situations. Compliance with these limits can be assessed
using measurement results with their associated uncertainties as requested by ISO/IEC Guide 98-3
[4]
and ISO 5667-20 .
Depending of the exposure situation, there are different limits and guidance levels that would result in
an action to reduce health risk.
-1
NOTE 1 The guidance level is the activity concentration with an intake of 2 ld of drinking water for one year,
-1
that results in an effective dose of 0,1 mSva for members of the public. This is an effective dose that represents
[3]
a very low level of risk that is not expected to give rise to any detectable adverse health effect .
[5]
In the event of a nuclear emergency, the WHO Codex Guideline Levels indicates the activity
concentrations corresponding to operational intervention levels.
NOTE 2 The Codex guidelines levels (GLs) apply to radionuclides contained in foods destined for human
consumption and traded internationally, which have been contaminated following a nuclear or radiological
emergency. These GLs apply to food after reconstitution or as prepared for consumption, i.e. not to dried or
concentrated foods, and are based on an intervention exemption level of 1 mSv in a year for members of the
[5]
public (infant and adult) .
Thus, the test method can be adapted so that the characteristic limits, decision threshold and detection
limit, and the uncertainties ensure that the radionuclide activity concentration test results can be
verified to be below the guidance levels required by a national authority for either planned-existing
[6][7]
situations or an emergency situation .
Usually, the test methods can be adjusted to measure the activity concentration of the radionuclide(s)
in either wastewaters before storage or in liquid effluents before being discharged to the environment.
ISO 22017:2020(E)
The test results will enable the plant/installation operator to verify that, before their discharge,
wastewaters/liquid effluent radioactive activity concentrations do not exceed authorized limits.
The test methods described in this document for emergency exposure situations may also be used
during planned, existing exposure situations as well as for wastewaters and liquid effluents with
specific modifications that could change the overall uncertainty, detection limit, and threshold.
The test method(s) may be used for water samples after proper sampling, sample handling, and test
sample preparation (see the relevant part of ISO 5667 series).
This document has been developed to answer the need of test laboratories carrying out these
measurements that may be required by national authorities during a nuclear or radiological emergency
exposure situation.
This document is one of a set of International Standards on test methods dealing with the measurement
of the activity concentration of radionuclides in water samples.
The ISO documents produced for radioactivity measurements in water are detailed methods. In most
cases, these methods have been used in laboratory practice for a number of years and the analytical
characteristics have been documented. However, these methods are generally time consuming and
require well trained analysts to carry them out.
Over the last years, an increasing need was recognized for the addition of guidance on the use of so-
called “rapid methods”. The nuclear accident at Fukushima in March 2011 accentuated the need for
these rapid measurements. During the initial stages of such incidents, decision makers had to deal with
taking protective measures for the population, such as sheltering, evacuation, and the distribution
of iodine prophylaxis. It has been found that time is critical and limited for taking these protective
measures.
vi © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 22017:2020(E)
Water quality — Guidance for rapid radioactivity
measurements in nuclear or radiological emergency
situation
1 Scope
This document provides guidelines for testing laboratories wanting to use rapid test methods on
water samples that may be contaminated following a nuclear or radiological emergency incident. In an
emergency situation, consideration should be given to:
— taking into account the specific context for the tests to be performed, e.g. a potentially high level of
contamination;
— using or adjusting, when possible, radioactivity test methods implemented during routine situations
to obtain a result rapidly or, for tests not performed routinely, applying specific rapid test methods
previously validated by the laboratory, e.g. for Sr determination;
— preparing the test laboratory to measure a large number of potentially contaminated samples.
The aim of this document is to ensure decision makers have reliable results needed to take actions
quickly and minimize the radiation dose to the public.
Measurements are performed in order to minimize the risk to the public by checking the quality of water
supplies. For emergency situations, test results are often compared to operational intervention levels.
[8]
NOTE Operational intervention levels (OILs) are derived from IAEA Safety Standards or national
[9]
authorities .
A key element of rapid analysis can be the use of routine methods but with a reduced turnaround time.
The goal of these rapid measurements is often to check for unusual radioactivity levels in the test sample,
to identify the radionuclides present and their activity concentration levels and to establish compliance
[10][11][12]
of the water with intervention levels . It should be noted that in such circumstances, validation
parameters evaluated for routine use (e.g. reproducibility, precision, etc.) may not be applicable to the
modified rapid method. However, due to the circumstances arising after an emergency, the modified
method may still be fit-for-purpose although uncertainties associated with the test results need to be
evaluated and may increase from routine analyses.
The first steps of the analytical approach are usually screening methods based on gross alpha and
gross beta test methods (adaptation of ISO 10704 and ISO 11704) and gamma spectrometry (adaptation
[13]
of ISO 20042, ISO 10703 and ISO 19581). Then, if required , test method standards for specific
radionuclides (see Clause 2) are adapted and applied (for example, Sr measurement according to
ISO 13160) as proposed in Annex A.
This document refers to published ISO documents. When appropriate, this document also refers to
national standards or other publicly available documents.
Screening techniques that can be carried out directly in the field are not part of this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9696, Water quality — Gross alpha activity — Test method using thick source
ISO 22017:2020(E)
ISO 9697, Water quality — Gross beta activity — Test method using thick source
ISO 9698, Water quality — Tritium — Test method using liquid scintillation counting
ISO 10703, Water quality — Determination of the activity concentration of radionuclides — Method by
high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry
ISO 10704, Water quality — Gross alpha and gross beta activity — Test method using thin source deposit
ISO 11704, Water quality — Gross alpha and gross beta activity — Test method using liquid scintillation
counting
ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
ISO 13160, Water quality — Strontium 90 and strontium 89 — Test methods using liquid scintillation
counting or proportional counting
ISO 13161, Water quality — Measurement of polonium 210 activity concentration in water by alpha
spectrometry
ISO 13162, Water quality — Determination of carbon 14 activity — Liquid scintillation counting method
ISO 13163, Water quality — Lead-210 — Test method using liquid scintillation counting
ISO 13165-1, Water quality — Radium-226 — Part 1: Test method using liquid scintillation counting
ISO 13165-2, Water quality — Radium-226 — Part 2: Test method using emanometry
ISO 13165-3, Water quality — Radium-226 — Part 3: Test method using coprecipitation and gamma-
spectrometry
ISO 13166, Water quality — Uranium isotopes — Test method using alpha-spectrometry
ISO 13167, Water quality — Plutonium, americium, curium and neptunium — Test method using alpha
spectrometry
ISO 13168, Water quality — Simultaneous determination of tritium and carbon 14 activities — Test method
using liquid scintillation counting
ISO 17294-2, Water quality — Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) —
Part 2: Determination of selected elements including uranium isotopes
ISO 19581, Measurement of radioactivity — Gamma emitting radionuclides — Rapid screening method
using scintillation detector gamma-ray spectrometry
ISO 20042, Measurement of radioactivity — Gamma-ray emitting radionuclides — Generic test method
using gamma-ray spectrometry
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

ISO 22017:2020(E)
3.1
emergency situation
non-routine situation or event that necessitates prompt action, primarily to mitigate a hazard or
adverse consequences for human health and safety, quality of life, property or the environment
Note 1 to entry: This includes nuclear and radiological emergencies and conventional emergencies such as
fires, release of hazardous chemicals, storms or earthquakes. It includes situations for which prompt action is
[14]
warranted to mitigate the effects of a perceived hazard .
3.2
intervention
any protective action or countermeasure aimed at reducing, or averting, human exposure to radiation
during a nuclear or radiological emergency
3.3
operational intervention level
OIL
set level of a measurable quantity that corresponds to a generic criterion
Note 1 to entry: OILs are calculated levels, measured by instruments or determined by laboratory analysis
that correspond to an intervention level or action level. These are typically expressed in terms of dose rates
or of activity of radioactive material released, time integrated air activity concentrations, ground or surface
concentrations, or activity concentrations of radionuclides in environmental, food or water samples. OILs are
used immediately and directly (without further assessment) to determine the appropriate protective actions on
[14]
the basis of an environmental measurement .
[SOURCE: IAEA safety glossary 2016 Rev. Mod]
3.4
reference level
level of dose or risk, in emergency or existing controllable exposure situations, above which it is judged
to be inappropriate to allow exposures to occur, and below which optimisation of protection should be
implemented
Note 1 to entry: Note1 to entry: The chosen value for a reference level depends upon the prevailing circumstances
[8][9]
of the exposure under consideration .
3.5
screening level
SL
value that takes into account the characteristics of the measuring equipment and the test method to
guarantee that the test results and their uncertainties obtained are fit for purpose for comparison with
the operational intervention levels (OILs) (3.3)
Note 1 to entry: For example, when the screening levels are not exceeded, the OILs are also note exceeded, and
the water is considered safe for consumption. If the screening level is exceeded so is the OIL and consumption of
non-essential food should be stopped, and essential food should be replaced or the people should be relocated if
[13][14]
replacements are not available .
3.6
intervention level
radiation dose above which a specific protective action is generally justified
3.7
iodine prophylaxis
administration of stable iodine to limit the uptake of inhaled/ingested radioactive iodine into the
thyroid gland
3.8
emergency exposure situation
situation of exposure where exposure at an elevated level is inevitable due to unexpected events or
needs of important action
ISO 22017:2020(E)
4 Guidance on emergency measurement
4.1 Objective of a specific rapid measurement
The type of nuclear or radiological emergency and the initial measurement results provide information
on the nature and amount of radionuclide that has been released.
In the early phase, rapid measurements can be performed for screening, e.g. to determine whether the
sample is significantly contaminated or not.
In the intermediate phase, rapid measurements can be carried out to confirm the nature and activity
concentration of the radionuclide(s) in the water samples.
When the radionuclides are known, a rapid measurement should be able to determine if the activity
concentration(s) measured exceeded the OIL values or not.
In the recovery phase of an emergency situation, when a number of protective measures have been
taken in order to minimize the dose to the public, measurements are also performed to verify the
necessity of these protective measures, such as evacuation, emergency sheltering, food restriction, and
providing iodine prophylaxis to members of the public.
Decision trees are usually used to determine which test methods should be applied. These methods
are often routine test methods in use in testing laboratories, with instructions on how to adapt them
during an emergency situation, or existing ISO documents.
A general overview of the higher priorities to address, for each phase of a nuclear emergency and the
rationale behind these priorities are shown in Table 1. The relative priority of these issues depend on
the type and scale of the nuclear or radiological emergency situation.
Table 1 — Overview of the higher priorities to address for each phase of a nuclear emergency
and the rationale behind these priorities
Phases High priorities Main concerns for water
Early phase Radionuclide identification, global pic- Protective measures for public,
(first days) ture livestock, agriculture, water.
of geographic extent of the
contamination.
Intervention levels exceeded?
Intermediate phase Large number of samples, detailed Evaluate the taken countermeasures with
(days — weeks) picture of contaminated area. measurement data.
Focus on food chain and water. May people return to their homes?
Evaluation of areas where intervention Is food safe to eat? Is water safe to drink?
levels are exceeded. Monitoring and sampling in large areas,
agricultural and urban.
Recovery phase More detailed sampling and analyses with Continue monitoring and sampling more in
(weeks — months) lower detection limits for food and water. depth in agricultural and urban areas: Food
chain and water reservoirs, surface waters.
4.2 Routine screening levels versus intervention levels
In normal situations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined routine screening levels for
−1
drinking water, below which no further action is required. These screening levels are 0,5 Bq·l for
−1
gross alpha activity and 1 Bq·l for gross beta activity. If neither of these values is exceeded, the total
−1
indicative dose of 0,1 mSv·y is also not exceeded.
In case of an emergency situation, intervention levels are defined and expressed in terms of a dose limit
−1 −1 −1
per unit of time (e.g. mSv·d , mSv·w or mSv·a ). They are used by policy makers to decide on actions
in order to protect people against high radiation levels. When these intervention levels are exceeded,
appropriate actions are carried out following national emergency handbooks or protocols.
4 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

ISO 22017:2020(E)
−1 −3
Operational intervention levels (OILs) are usually expressed in activity concentration (Bq·l , Bq.m
−1
or Bq.kg ). Rapid measurements performed following an emergency situation should produce test
results which can be related to OILs.
If required, the conversion from activity to dose to compare with intervention levels should be carried
out by experienced scientific staff. For contaminated water, intervention levels are related to ingestion,
washing, showering or cooking. Here the conversion from activity concentration in drinking water to
dose is done by multiplying the activity concentration by the dose conversion coefficient (for ingestion)
and an approximation of the water consumption per unit time.
Intervention levels may vary from one country to another. In this document, data from the EU and the
USA are given as examples in Annex B. Other states may apply their own national intervention levels.
Sample measurement data are used for decision making based on the assessment of the confidence
that water quality meets given targets, complies with thresholds or lies in a particular range in a
classification system.
Principles, basic requirements, and illustrative methods for decision making are described in
Reference [14], including methods for preliminary examination of the sensitivity of decisions to error
and uncertainty.
4.3 Operational intervention levels (OILs) from EU, USA and IAEA
[9] [11][12]
OILs for the USA and the EU are listed in Annex B. In emergency situations, a higher
contamination level is accepted for a short period of time, days or weeks.
−1 −1
These levels range up to 500 Bq·l for iodine isotopes and to 1 200 Bq·l for gamma-emitting isotopes,
134 137
such as Cs and Cs. It is clear that rapid measurements should be able to determine these activity
concentrations readily.
[8]
The IAEA defines a slightly different set of OILs . These OILs are threshold values of concentrations
in food, milk or water that warrant the consideration of restrictions on consumption so as to keep the
effective dose to any person below 10 mSv per year.
Following the early phase, the OIL values could be revised rapidly by authorities to come back to usual
reference values. In such a case, the laboratories would revert to usual laboratory test methods and
equipment.
5 Rapid measurements
5.1 Adaptation of the methods used
In the early phase, turnaround time is a very important factor. Other factors considered as primary
in routine situations could become of secondary importance. Time-consuming radiological procedures
should be avoided in the early phase and intermediate phase. In some cases, the testing laboratory
shall apply specific, non-routine, rapid measurement methods. These methods should be validated
in advance. As a rule, where possible, rapid methods should be based on routine test methods as the
laboratory team is already trained to use them and their analytical characteristics are well known.
An optimization of these methods may be based on a smaller size of the sample test portion, simpler
radiochemical treatment, and a shorter counting time.
The following test methods, usually performed in routine situations, shall be used and adapted:
ISO 9696, ISO 9697, ISO 9698, ISO 10703, ISO 10704, ISO 11704, ISO 13160, ISO 13161, ISO 13162,
ISO 13163, ISO 13165-1, ISO 13165-2, ISO 13165-3, ISO 13166, ISO 13167, ISO 13168, ISO 17294-2,
ISO 19581 and ISO 20042.
ISO 22017:2020(E)
5.2 Sampling
[15]
Guidance for sampling and conservation of water samples can be found in the ISO 5667 series . Apply
ISO 5667-3 for the conservation and preservation of water samples.
A procedure for developing a sampling and measuring strategy for a quick estimation of the
contaminated area is given in Reference [16]. This may be achieved by combining measurements with
hand-held gamma- (or alpha/beta-) monitors with data obtained with gamma spectrometry, or alpha/
beta-counting techniques.
The type of nuclear and radiological emergency situation and the first measurements give the initial
information on the nuclide or nuclide mix that could have contaminated the water bodies. Screening
techniques should be applied using this information.
Carry out sampling in order to identify the radionuclide or mix of radionuclides, and their activity
concentration levels. In general, the sampling strategy should be directed to test the compliance with
the OILs.
The sampling strategy should be oriented to address the following questions:
1) Is tap water likely to be contaminated? If so, are people likely to be contaminated through drinking
water, washing or cooking?
2) Which nuclide(s) cause(s) the contamination?
3) How severe and how widespread is the contaminated area or water body?
4) Are surface waters or aquifers used for drinking water likely to be contaminated?
Take random samples covering surface water or water sources in a wide area. The number of samples
should be relatively small in order not to overload the testing laboratories capacity.
5.3 Rapid test methods
5.3.1 Pre-screening: Identification of most contaminated samples
The screening process of water samples can be done using survey instruments. Large numbers of
samples are sent to the laboratory. Before opening any package containing samples, potential immediate
radiological hazards shall be identified in order to minimize the risks to the workers responsible for the
sample management and analysis.
Usually, portable equipment, such as a Geiger-Mueller or NaI(TI) detector, is suitable for the task of
pre-screening samples at arrival to the laboratory. No assessment of alpha particle or low-energy beta
particle contamination can be made using hand-held instruments.
5.3.2 Selection of the analytical strategy
Depending on the emergency situation, the radionuclides to be measured are usually known to the
testing laboratory.
[14]
For example ,
3 90
— in the case of a nuclear power plant core melt, emissions in the environment may contain: H, Y,
91 93 96 99 105 109 111 112 115 121 125 126 127 131 134 137 132
Sr, Y, Nb, Mo, Rh, Pd, Ag, Pd, Cd, Sn, Sn, Sb, Sb, I, Cs, Cs, I,
131m 132 133 135 140 142 143 143 146 147 149 151 152m 153 156
Te, Te, I, I, La, Pr, Ce, Pr, Ba, Nd, Pm, Pm, Eu, Sm, Sm,
157 239
Eu, Np.
— in the case of an accident in a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility, emissions in the environment may
3 90 95 95 99 103 106 129 131 134 137 141 144 238 239 240
contain: H, Sr, Nb, Zr, Tc, Ru, Ru, I, I, Cs, Cs, Ce, Ce, Pu, Pu, Pu,
241 241 242 242 243 244
Am, Pu, Cm, Pu, Am, Cm.
6 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

ISO 22017:2020(E)
— In the case of a Natural Occurring Radioactive Material contamination, emissions in the environment
may contain isotopes from any of the three natural thorium and uranium decay series.
If the samples arriving to the laboratory are contaminated with unknown radionuclides, the laboratory
shall define an analytical strategy to identify them.
In general, this strategy begins with screening methods such as gross alpha and gross beta and gamma
[16]
spectrometry . To evaluate the presence of alpha emitters and beta emitters, rapid screening
methods are necessary.
Gamma spectrometry is a powerful measurement method that may provide both an estimate of the
level of sample contamination and the identification of the gamma-ray emitting radionuclides present.
It is important to add to the software library all the information (nuclear data) about the radionuclides
that can be present in a nuclear emergency, especially short life radionuclides. The particular inclusion
95 131 132 133 135 132 134 137 140 140 144 [17].
of Nb, I, I, I, I, Te, Cs, Cs, Ba, La and Ce is recommended
When several gamma-ray emitting radionuclides are detected, it is possible to focus on the evaluation
of the activity concentration of those radionuclides responsible for the majority of the expected dose.
Annex C provides further guidance on the types of analyses and turnaround times that may be required
in the emergency phase for a range of matrices including water. On the basis of the initial results, it
may be necessary to do specific measurement of particular alpha emitters or beta emitters such as
89 90
strontium isotopes ( Sr and Sr).
After the emergency phase, it may be possible to extrapolate the activity concentration of some non-
gamma emitting radionuclides based on the presence/activity of some gamma emitters measured in the
sample. These correlations can then be applied following gamma spectrometry measurements instead
of performing specific separations. However, this kind of evaluation can only be reliable for a limited
sampling location (deposition can be different) and time (short half-life radionuclides decay rapidly and
environmental conditions can change). When a laboratory uses this extrapolation method to estimate
the activity concentration of radionuclides, the results should not be included in the main test report
but reported separately (e.g. in an annex or in separate tables). The values reported should be clearly
marked as being derived from a correlation and do not represent direct laboratory measurements.
ISO 22017:2020(E)
a
Values are given as examples and can be modified according to the situation, national regulations, OIL, etc.
but should be determined in advance.
Figure 1 — Example of a simplified decision scheme
The decision scheme (see Figure 1) gives a detailed flowchart on how to process high and low activity
concentration levels samples, when to use screening methods and when to use nuclide specific methods.
Other examples of decision scheme based on intervention levels can be found in References [17]
and [18], one is given in Annex D.
The analytical approach should be defined depending on the intervention levels and the justification of
countermeasures. If intervention levels are not exceeded, there is no need for countermeasures.
8 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

ISO 22017:2020(E)
In this case, the OIL becomes a reference level for the results obtained, a screening level can then be
[19]
defined by the laboratory to test the samples following the Figure 2 below :
Figure 2 — Description of screening level and reference level in contamination level
The results of a rapid measurement should be accurate enough to be sure that an intervention level is
exceeded or not. Nevertheless, in this context, time is much more important than accuracy.
For instance, the measurement result for a water test sample could be reported as:
— the result indicates that (with a 95 % level of confidence) an intervention level is not exceeded;
— the result indicates a close approximation of the intervention level and more data are necessary
(Further analysis is required). Meanwhile the intervention level may be regarded as “possibly”
exceeded;
— the result indicates that (with 95 % level of confidence) an intervention level is exceeded.
Usually, uncertainties of the wet and dry deposition characteristics as well as of the distribution of
radionuclides in a water body or reservoir are much larger than analytical uncertainties.
In this phase, mea
...