ISO 15557:1998

INTERNATIONAL
IS0
STANDARD
15557
First edition
1998-l 2-l 5
Practice for use of a radiochromic film
dosimetry system
Pra tique de I’u tilisa tion d ’un sys t@me dosim6 trique 2 film radiochromique
Reference number
IS0 15557: 1998(E)

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IS0 15557: 1998(E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(IS0 member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0 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. IS0 collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
bodies for voting.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member
casting a vote.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
International Standard IS0 15557 was prepared by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Subcommittee E1O.O1 (as E 1275-93) and was adopted, under a special “fast-track procedure ”, by Technical
Committee ISOmC 85, Nuclear energy, in parallel with its approval by the IS0 member bodies.
A new lSO/TC 85 Working Group WG 3, High-level dosimetry for radiation processing, was formed to review the
voting comments from the IS0 “Fast-track procedure” and to maintain these standards. The USA holds the
convenership of this working group.
International Standard IS0 15557 is one of 20 standards developed and published by ASTM. The 20 fast-tracked
standards and their associated ASTM designations are listed below:
IS0 Designation ASTM Designation Title
E 1204-93 Practice for dosimetry in gamma irradiation facilities for food
15554
processing
Practice for use of a ceric-cerous sulfate dosimetry system
15555 E 1205-93
15556 E 1261-94 Guide for selection and calibration of dosimetry systems for
radiation processing
15557 E 1275-93 Practice for use of a radiochromic film dosimetry system
E 1276-96 Practice for use of a polymethylmethacryaylate dosimetry system
15558
15559 E 1310-94 Practice for use of a radiochromic optica/ waveguide dosimetry
sys tern
15560 E 1400-95a Practice for characterization and performance of a high-dose
radiation dosimetry calibration laboratory
15561 E 1401-96 Practice for use of a dichromate dosimetry system
0 IS0 1998
Unless otherwise specified, no pa publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic
All rights reserved. rt of this
or mechanical, incl uding photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case postale 56 l CH-1211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Internet iso @ iso.ch
Printed in Switzerland
ii

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IS0 15557: 1998(E)
@ IS0
E1431-91 Practice for dosimetry in electron and bremsstrahlung irradiation
15562
facilities for food processing
Practice for use of the ethanol-chlorobenzene dosimetry system
15563 E 1538-93
15564 E 1539-93 Guide for use of radiation-sensitive indicators
15565 E 1540-93 Practice for use of a radiochromic liquid dosimetry system
15566 E 1607-94 Practice for use of the alanine-EPR dosimetry system
Practice for dosimetry in an X-ray (bremsstrahlung) facility for
15567 E 1608-94
radiation processing
for electron
15568 E 1631-96 Practice for use of calorimetric dosimetry systems
beam dose measurements and dosimeter calibrations
Practice for dosimetry in an electron-beam facility for radiation
15569 E 1649-94
processing at energies between 300 keV and 25 MeV
E 1650-94 Practice for use of cellulose acetate dosimetry system
15570
Practice for dosimetry in a gamma irradiation facility for radiation
1557-l E 1702-95
processing
Guide for estimating uncertainties in dosimetry for radiation
15572 E 1707-95
processing
Practice for dosimetry in an electron-beam facility for radiation
15573 E 1818-96
processing at energies between 80 keV and 300 keV
. . .
Ill

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IS0 15557: 1998(E)
@ IS0
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
Designation: E 1275 - 93
1916 Race St Philadelphia, Pa 19103
clSTb
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
If not listed in the current combined index, will appear in the next edition.
Standard Practice for
Use of a Radiochromic Film Dosimetry System’
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1275; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in *he case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
2.2 International Commission on Radiation Units and
1. Scope
Measurements (ICR U) Reports:
1.1 This practice covers the handling, testing, and proce-
ICRU Report 14-Radiation Dosimetry: X Rays and
dure for using a radiochromic film dosimetry system to
Gamma Rays with Maximum Photon Energies Between
measure absorbed dose in materials irradiated by photons or
0.6 and 50 MeV6
electrons in terms of absorbed dose in water.
ICRU Report 17-Radiation Dosimetry: X Rays Gener-
1.2 This practice applies to radiochromic film dosimeters
ated at Potentials of 5 to 150 kV6
that can be used within part or all of the specified ranges as
ICRU Report 33-Radiation Quantities and Units6
follows:
ICRU Report 34-The Dosimetry of Pulsed Radiation6
1.2.1 The absorbed dose range is 1 x lOa2 to 1 x lo* kGy.
ICRU Report 35-Radiation Dosimetry: Electron Beams
1.2.2 The absorbed dose rate is 1 x lo-* to 1 X 1O*3 Gy/s
with Energies Between 1 and 50 MeV6
(l-4).*
1.2.3 The radiation energy range for both photons and
3. Terminology
electrons is 0.1 to 50 MeV.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2.4 The irradiation temperature range is -78 to +6O ”C.
3.1.1 absorbed dose, D-the quotient of de’ by dm, where
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
d? is the mean energy imparted by ionizing radiation to the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
matter of mass dm (see ICRU Report 33).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
de’
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
- D==
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
The special name for the unit for absorbed dose is the gray
.
.
GY)
2. Referenced Documents
1 Gy = 1 Jekg-’
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Formerly, the special unit for absorbed dose was the rad:
170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements
1 rad = 1O-2 Jmkg-’ = 1O-2 Gy
and Dosimet$
178 Practice for Dealing with Outlying Observations4
3.1.2 analysis wavelength-wavelength used for calibra-
275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance
tion and routine application.
of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near Infrared Spectro-
3.1.3 batch-quantity of dosimeters made from a specific
photometers5
mass of material with uniform composition, fabricated in a
668 Practice for Application of Thermoluminescence-
single production run, and having a unique identification
Dosimetry (TLD) Systems for Determining Absorbed
code.
Dose in Radiation-I-Iardness Testing of Electronic De-
3.1.4 \ calibration curve-graphical or mathematical rela-
vices3
tionship between the specific net absorbance and the ab
1026 Practice for Using the Fricke Reference Standard
sorbed dose for a given dosimetry system. The calibration
Dosimetry System3
curve can also serve as the response function.
1204 Practice for Dosimetry in Gamma Irradiation
3.1.5 calibration ficility-combination of an ionizing ra-
Facilities for Food Processing3
diation source and its associated instrumentation that pro-
1205 Practice for Use of a Ceric-Cerous Sulfate
vides uniform and reproducible absorbed dose rates at
.Dosimetry System3
specific locations and in a specific material traceable to
126 1 Guide for Selection and Application of Dosimetry
national standards, and therefore, may be used to calibrate
Systems for Radiation Processing of Food3
the absorbed dose response of routine or other types of
dosimeters.
3.1.6 dosimetry system-system used for determining ab-
* This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-18 on Nuclear
sorbed dose, consisting of dosimeters, measurement instru-
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
mentation, the calibration curve, reference standards, and
E1O.O 1 on Dosimetry for Radiation Processing.
Current edition approved April 15, 1993. Published July 1993. Originally
procedures for the system ’s use.
published as E 1275 - 88. Last previous edition E 1275 - 88 ”.
3.1.7 measurement quality assurance plan-a docu-
2 The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end
of this practice.
3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
’ Annual Book o/ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. 6 Available from International Commission on Radiation Units and Measure-
ments, 79 10 Woodmont Ave., Suite 800, Bethesda, 208
5 Annual Book o/ASTM Standards, Vol 14.0 1. MD 14.
1

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0 1so
IS0 15557: 1998(E)
ClsIE, E 1275
width, and stray light rejection.
mented program for the measurement process that qualifies
51.3 Holder, to position the dosimeter reproducibly in
the total uncertainty of the measurements (both random and
and perpendicular to the measuring light beam.
systematic error components); this plan shall demonstrate
5.1.4 Calibrated Thickness Gage, with- a precision of
traceability to national standards and shall show that the
22 % of the film thickness (at a 95 % confidence level).
total uncertainty meets the requirements of the specific
application.
NOTE 2-Documentation provided by the manufacturer of the
3.1.8 net absorbance, &&radiation-induced change in
radiochromic film dosimeter with regard to the fdrn thickness and its
measured absorbance at a selected wavelength(s) determined variability may be substituted for direct measurement of thickness by
the user. This information should be verified by the user by analyzing a
by subtracting the pre-irradiation absorbance, AO, from the
representative sample of films
post-irradiation absorbance, Ar as follows:
NOTE 3-Some radiochromic fflrn dosimeters contain a substrate
AA = A, - A0
which is not radiochromic. With such dosimeters the thickness is not
measured.
This term is also referred to as induced absorbance.
3.1.9 radiochromic film dosimeter-specially prepared
6. Performance Check of Instrumentation
film containing ingredients that undergo an ionizing radia-
6.1 The performance of the photometer or spectropho-
tion-induced change in optical absorbance. This change in
tometer shah be checked and documented. (See Practices
optical absorbance can be related to absorbed dose in water.
E 275 and E 1026.)
3. I. 10 specific net absorbance, k-net absorbance, AA, at
6.1.1 When using a spectrophotometer, check and docu-
a selected wavelength(s) divided by the thickness, t, of the
dosimeter as follows: ment the bias and precision of the wavelength scale and
absorbance scale at or near the analysis wavelength(s) at
k=hA/t
intervals not to exceed one month during periods of use, or
3.1.11 traceability-ability to show that a measurement is
whenever there are indications of poor performance.
consistent with appropriate national standards through an
6.1.2 When using a photometer, check and document the
unbroken chain of comparisons.
bias and precision of the absorbance scale at intervals not to
3.2 Other appropriate terms may be found in Termi-
exceed one month during periods of use, or whenever there
nology E 170.
are indications of poor performance.
6.1.3 Compare the information obtained in 6.1. I or 6.1.2
4. Significance and Use
with the original instrument specifications to ensure ade-
4.1 The radiochromic film dosimetry system provides a
quate performance.
means of determining absorbed dose in materials. Under the
6.2 Check the thickness gage before, during, and after use
influence of ionizing radiation, chemical reactions take place
to assure reproducibility and lack of zero drift. Check and
in the radiochromic film creating or enhancing, or both,
document the calibration of the gage at intervals not to
optical absorption bands. Absorbance is determined at the
exceed six months. Use gage blocks, traceable to national
selected wavelength(s) within these radiation-induced ab
standards for this purpose.
sorption bands. Examples of appropriate wavelengths for
analysis for specific dosimetry systems are provided by the 7. Calibration of Dosimeters
manufacturer and in Refs. 3 through 14.
7.1 To calibrate a dosimetry system, use an electron or
4.2 In the application of a specific dosimetry system,
gamma irradiation facility, as appropriate, whose dose rate is
absorbed dose is determined by use of a calibration curve
traceable to national standards and which meets the fol-
traceable to national standards.
lowing requirements:
4.3 The absorbed dose determined is usually specified in
7.1.1 Specify the calibration absorbed dose in terms of
water. Absorbed dose in other materials may be determined
absorbed dose in water, or in another material appropriate
by applying the conversion factors discussed in Guide
for the specific application (see 4.3).
E 1261.
7.1.2 Determine the absorbed dose rate of the calibration
field by use of a reference or transfer dosimetry system (see
NOTE l-For comprehensive discussion of various dosimetry
methods applicable to the radiation types and energies discussed in this
Guide E 126 1, Practice E 1026, and Practice E 1205).
test method, see ICRU Reports 14, 17, 34, and 35.
7.2 Provide the conditions for calibration of dosimeters as
follows:
4.4 Radiochromic film dosimetry systems are commonly
7.2.1 Position the dosimeter in the calibration radiation
applied in the industrial radiation processing of a variety of
field in a defined, reproducible location.
products, for example, sterilization of medical devices and
7.2.2 When using a gamma-ray source for calibration,
processing of foods (11, 13).
surround the dosimeters with a sufficient amount of material
to ensure electron equilibrium conditions.
5. Apparatus
NOTE 4-For example, in determining absorbed dose in water with a
5.1 Components of the Dosimetry System-The following
Yo source, approximately 3 to 5 mm of polystyrene (or equivalent
shall be used to determine absorbed dose with radiochromic
polymeric material) should surround the dosimeters in all directions.
film dosimetry systems:
5.1.1 Radiochromic Film Dosimeters.
7.2.3 Make the calibration field within the volume occu-
5.1.2 Spectrophotometer or Photometer, having documen- pied by the dosimeter(s) as uniform as possible. The varia-
tation covering analysis wavelength range, accuracy of w
...