ISO 15565:1998

INTERNATIONAL
IS0
STANDARD 15565
First edition
1998-12-15
Practice for use of a radiochromic liquid
dosimetry system
Pra tique de I’utilisa tion d ’un sys teme dosimb trique radiochromique liquide
Reference number
IS0 15565: 1998(E)

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IS0 15565:1998(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.
Draft lnternationa .I Standa rds adopted by th e technical co mmittees a re circul ated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an .I Standard req ui res approval by at least 75 % of the membe r bodies
I nternati ona casting a vote.
International Standard IS0 15565 was prepared by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Subcommittee E1O.O1 (as E 1540-93) and was adopted, under a special “fast-track procedure ”, by Technical
Committee lSO/TC 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 15565 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
15554 E 1204-93 Practice for dosimetry in gamma irradiation facilities for food
processing
15555 E 1205-93 Practice for use of a ceric-cerous sulfate dosimetry system
E1261-94
15556 Guide for selection and calibration of dosimetry systems for
radiation processing
E 1275-93 Practice for use of a radiochromic film dosimetry system
15557
15558 E 1276-96 Practice for use of a polymethylmethacrylate dosimetry system
E 1310-94
15559 Practice for use of a radiochromic optical waveguide dosimetry
sys tern
E 1400-95a
15560 Practice for characterization and performance of a high-dose
radiation dosimetty calibration laboratory
E 1401-96
15561 Practice for use of a dichromate dosimetty system
0 IS0 1998
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise s ‘pecified, no pa rt of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic
mechanical, including photocopying without permission in writing from the publ
or and microfilm, isher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case postale 56 l CH-1211 Get&e 20 l Switzerland
Internet iso @ iso.ch
Printed in Switzerland
ii

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IS0 15565: 1998(E)
as0
15562 E1431-91 Practice for dosimetry in electron and bremsstrahiung irradiation
facilities for food processing
E 1538-93 Practice for use of the ethanol-chiorobenzene dosimetry system
15563
E 1539-93 Guide for use of radiation-sensitive indicators
15564
E 1540-93 Practice for use of a radiochromic liquid dosimetry system
15565
15566 E 1607-94 Practice for use of the aianine-EPR dosimetry system
15567 E 1608-94 Practice for dosimetry in an X-ray (bremsstrahiung) facility for
radiation processing
E 1631-96 Practice for use of calorimetric dosimetry systems for electron
15568
beam dose measurements and dosimeter calibrations
E 1649-94 Practice for dosimetry in an electron-beam facility for radiation
15569
processing at energies between 300 keV and 25 MeV
Practice for use of cellulose acetate dosimetry system
15570 E 1650-94
in a irradiation facility for radiation
E 1702-95 Practice for dosimetry gamma
15571
processing
E 1707-95 Guide for estimating uncertainties in dosimetry for radiation
15572
processing
15573 E 1818-96 Practice for dosimetry in an electron-beam facility for radiation
processing at energies between 80 keV and 300 keV

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0 IS0
IS0 15565: 1998(E)
Designation: E 1SiO - 93
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
1916 Race St. Philadelphia, Pa 19103
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 Liquid Dosimetry System’
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1540; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original ;ddoption or, in the w+e 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.
1. Scope
275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance
of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near Infrared Spectro-
1.1 This practice covers the preparation, handling, testing,
photometer@
and procedure for using radiochromic liquid dosimetry
666 Practice for Calculating Absorbed Dose from
systems of radiochromic dye solutions held in sealed or
Gamma or X Radiation4
capped containers (for example, ampoules, vials) and the
668 Practice for Application of Thermoluminescence-
spectrophotometric or photometric readout equipment for
Dosimetry (TLD) Systems for Determining Absorbed
measuring absorbed dose in materials irradiated by photons
Dose in Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronic
and electrons in terms of absorbed dose in water.
Devices4
1.2 This practice applies to radiochromic liquid dosimeter
E 925 Practice for the Calibration of Narrow Band-Pass
solutions that can be used within part or all of the specified
Spectrophotometer@
ranges as follows:
E 958 Practice for Measuring Practical Spectral Band-
1.2.1 The absorbed dose range is from 0.5 to 40 000 Gy
width of Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer$
for photons and electrons.
E 1026 Practice for Using the Fricke Reference Standard
1.2.2 The absorbed dose rate is from 10B3 to 10’ 1 Gy/s.
Dosimetry System4
1.2.3 The radiation energy range for photons is from 1 to
E 1204 Practice for Dosimetry in Gamma Irradiation
20 MeV.
Facilities for Food Processing4
1.2.4 The radiation energy range for electrons is from 0.0 1
E 1205 Practice for Use of a Ceric-Cerous Sulfate
to 20 MeV.
Dosimetry System4
NOTE l-Since low-energy electrons, such as 0.01 MeV, may not
E 126 1 Guide for the Selection and Application of
penetrate the container of the solution, the solutions may be used in a
Dosimetry Systems for Radiation Processing of Food4
stirred open beaker with the electrons entering the solutions directly
E 1275 Practice for Use of a Radiochromic Film
2
.
(1)
Dosimetry System4
E 1276 Practice for Use of a Polymethylmethacrylate
1.2.5 The irradiation temperature range is from -40 to
Dosimetry System4
+6O ”C.
E 13 10 Practice for Use of a Radiochromic Optical
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Waveguide Dosimetry System4
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E 1400 Practice for Characterization and Performance of a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
High-Dose Gamma-Radiation Dosimetry Calibration
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Laboratory4
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E 140 1 Practice for Use of a Dichromate Dosimetry
System4
2. Referenced Documents
E 143 1 Practice for Dosimetry in Electron and
Bremsstrahlung Irradiation Facilities for Food Pro-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cessing4
C 9 12 Practice for Designing a Process for Cleaning
2.2 International Commission on Radiation Units and
Technical Glasses3
Measurements (ICR U) Reports?
E 170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements
ICRU Report 14-Radiation Dosimetry: X-Rays and
and Dosimet$
Gamma Rays with Maximum Photon Energies Between
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
0.6 and 50 MeV
ASTM Test Methods5
ICRU Report 17-Radiation Dosimetry: X-Rays Gener-
E 178 Practice for Dealing with Outlying Observations5
ated at Potentials of 5 to 150 kV
ICRU Report 33-Radiation Quantities and Units
ICRU Report 34-The Dosimetry of Pulsed Radiation
r This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-10 on Nuclear
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
ICRU Report 35-Radiation Dosimetry: Electron Beams
E 10.0 1 on Dosimetry for Radiation Processing.
with Energies between 1 and 50 MeV
Current edition approved April 15, 1993. Published June 1993.
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 15.02. 6 Annual
Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.0 1.
4 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
7 Available from International Commission on Radiation Units and Measure-
5 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. ments, 79 10
Woodmont Ave., Suite 800, Bethesda, MD 20814.
1

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@ IS0
IS0 15565: 1998(E)
DIscussIoN-This quantity is often referred to as G value. The former
ICRU Report 37-Stopping Powers for Electrons and
special unit was mol l ( 100 eV)-I.
Photons
ICRU Report 44-Tissue Substitutes in Radiation
3.1.9 radiochromic liquid dosimeter-specially prepared
Dosimetry and Measurement
solution containing ingredients that undergo change in
optical absorbance under ionizing radiation. This change in
optical absorbance can be related to absorbed dose in water.
3. Terminology
3.1.10 specific net absorbance, k-net absorbance, AA, at
3.1 Definitions:
a selected wavelength(s) divided by the optical pathlength, d,
3. I. 1 analysis wavelength-wavelength used in a
through the dosimeter as follows:
spectrophotometer or photometer for measuring optical
absorbance in the dosimetric solution. =-
k hA
d
3.1.2 batch-a quantity of dosimetric solution in a sealed
container or a number of sealed containers such as am- 3.2 Other appropriate terms may be found in Termi-
poules, vials, or cuvettes, each containing the same size nology E 170.
aliquot from a large quantity of dosimetric solution of
4. Significance and Use
specific ingredients, with all ingredients and date of prepara-
tion being identified with a unique code.
4.1 The radiochromic liquid dosimetry system provides a
3.1.3 calibration curve-the graphical or mathematical
means of measuring absorbed dose in materials (5-7). Under
relationship between the net response and the absorbed dose
the influence of ionizing radiation, chemical reactions take
for a given dosimetry system. The calibration curve can also
place in the radiochromic solution modifying the amplitudes
serve as the response function.
of optical absorption bands (8-10). Absorbance values are
3.1.4 dosimetry system- system used for determining ab-
measured at the selected wavelength(s) within these radia-
sorbed dose, consisting of dosimeters, measurement instru-
tion-induced absorption bands (see also Guide E 126 1 and
mentation, the calibration curve, reference standards, and
Practices E 1275, E 1276, E 1310 - 89, E 1204, E 1400,
procedures for the system ’s use.
E 1401 and E 1431).
3.1.5 measurement quality assurance plan-a docu-
4.2 In the use of a specific dosimetry system, absorbed
mented program for the measurement process that quantifies
dose is evaluated by use of a calibration curve traceable to
the total uncertainty of the measurements (both random and
national standards (11, 12).
systematic error components). This plan shall demonstrate
4.3 The absorbed dose that is measured is usually speci-
traceability to national standards, and shall show that the
fied in water. Absorbed dose in other materials may be
total uncertainty meets the requirements of the specific
evaluated by applying the conversion factors discussed in
application.
Guide E 1261.
3.1.6 molar linear absorption coeficient, (Em"ient
NOTE 2-For a comprehensive discussion of various dosimetry
given by the relation from Beer ’s law as follows (2):
methods applicable to the radiation types and energies discussed in this
practice, see ICRU Reports 14, 17, 34, 35, and 37.
=-
Em A
Md
4.4 These dosimetry systems may be used in the industrial
where: radiation processing of a variety of products, for example the
A = absorbance at a specified wavelength, sterilization of medical devices and radiation processing of
M = molar concentration of the ion of interest, and foods (5, 7, 13).
d = optical pathlength within the solution measured by the 4.5 The available dynamic range indicated in 1.2.1 is
spectrophotometer (see ICRU Report 35). achieved by using a variety of radiochromic leuco dyes
Units: m2 l mol+ . (Table 1) in a variety of solutions (Table 2).
4.6 The ingredients of the solutions, in particular the
DIscussIoN-This quantity is ofien referred to in the literature as the
solvents, can be varied so as to simulate a number of
molar extinction coeficient.
materials in terms of the photon mass energy-absorption
coefficients, (~l,,/p), for X-rays and gamma-rays and electron
3.1.7 net absorbance, A&-the difference between the
mass collision stopping powers, [( l/p) dE/d.x], over a broad
optical absorbance of an unirradiated dosimetric solution or
spectral energy range from 0.0 1 to 100 MeV (14). For special
solid, AO, and the optical absorbance of an irradiated
applications certain tissue-equivalent radiochromic solutions
dosimetric solution, A (2, 3):
have been designed to simulate various materials and ana-
AA = A - A, (for increasing absorbance)
tomical tissues, in terms of values of (pen/p) for photons and
- A (for decreasing absorbance)
AA=A, [( 1 /p) dE/dx] for electrons (14) (see also ICRU Report 44).
Tabulations of the values of (pen/p) for water (15), the
3.1.8 radiation chemical yield, G(x)-the quotient of n(x)
anatomical tissues (15, 16), and three specially designed
by Z! where n(x) is the statistical amount of substance of a
radiochromic solutions, for photons over the energy range
specified entity x, produced, destroyed, or changed, and 2 is
from 0.0 1 to 20 MeV, and tabulations of the values of [( l/p)
the mean energy imparted to the matter (see ICRU Report
dE/a!x] (16) for water, the tissues and the radiochromic
33 and (4)).
solutions for electrons over the energy range from 0.01 to 20
= w
MeV are given in Refs (12-14). For additional information
G(x) z
see Guide E 126 1, Practice E 666, and ICRU Reports 14, 17,
Unit: mol. J-l. 35, 37, and 44.
2
2

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IS0 15565:1998(E)
0 IS0
TABLE 1 Three Available Radiochromic Leuco Dyes, Their Formulae, Molecular Weight, and Values of c,,, and Color Index Numbers of
the Parent Dyes (17, 19)
Molar Linear Absorption Color Index
Molecular Weight
Radiochromic Leuco Dye (code) Formula
CoefficientA (L mol-l ‘cm-l)
No.
Pararosaniline cyanide (PRC) 314.376 140 000 42 500
(A = 550 nm)
C-CN
Hexa(hydroxyethyl)pararosaniline 578.715 100 000
(none given)
cyanide (HHEVC) (A = 600 nm)
C-CN
New fuchsin cyanide (NFC) 356.455 130 000 42 500
(A = 560 nm)
A These values of molar linear absorption coefficients are given in Ref 5 for 2-methoxyethanol solutions containing 17 mM acetic acid. The values may vary somewhat
in other solvents and with other additives.
TABLE 2 Selected Radiochromic Solution Formulations and the Radiation Chemical Yields of Dye Cations in Solution
Radiochromic
Wavelength for
Radiochromic
Leuco Dye G-Value, Nominal Dose
Leucc Dye Solution Formulation Spectrophotometer, References
Concentration pmo! J-l Range, Gy
(See Table 1) nm
(mm01 L-l)
HHEVC Dissolve in 2-methoxy ethanol containing 17 mmol L-l 5 599 0.025 1 o-1 000 5
acetic acid
- PRC Dissolve in 2-methoxy ethanol containing 51 mmol L-l 5 549 0.033 1 O-3000 1
acetic acid
NFC Dissolve in dimethyl sulfoxide containing 17 mmol L-l 0.1 554 0.0031 100-30 000 17
acetic acid
PRC Dissolve in dimethyl sulfoxide containing 17 mmol L-l 5 554 0.0040 3-40 000 11
acetic acid and 30 mmol L-l nitrobenzene
HHEVC Dissolve in mixture of 85 % n-propanol and 15 % 2 605 0.0051 50-5000 19
triethylphosphate (by volume), containing 34 mmol L-l
acetic acid, 500 parts-per-million nitrobenzoic acid and
10 % polyvinyl butyral (by weight)
NFC Dissolve in mixture of 85 % triethylphosphate and 15 % 2 557 0.0055 100-l 0 000 12
dimethyl sulfoxide (by volume), containing 68 mM
acetic acid, 500 parts-per-million nitrobenzoic acid and
10 % polyvinyl butyral (by weight)
HHEVC Dissolve in mixture of 85 % triethylphosphate and 15 % 100 608 0.28 0.5-l 0 16
dimethyl sulfoxide (by volume), containing 68 mM
acetic acid, 500 parts-per-million nitrobenzoic acid and
10 % polyvinyl butyral (by weight)
NOTE 3-Although control of temperature during spectro-
5. Apparatus
photometry is not essential, as the temperature coeffkient during
5.1 The following shall be used to determine absorbed
spectrophotometric measurements is between 0 and -0.01 % per degree
dose with radiochromic liquid dosimetry systems:
Celsius for the formulations in Table 2, the temperature during
measurement should be within the temperature range from 20 to 30°C.
5.1.1 Batch or Portion of a Batch of Radiochromic Liquid.
5.1.2 Spectrophotometer or Photometer, having documen-
5.1.4 Amber Glass Containers for storing the solutions,
tation covering analysis wavelengths, accuracy of wavelength
with either glass, aluminum, or polyethylene liners for the
selection, absorbance determination, spectral bandwidth,
lids. Use glass ampoules which are flame sealed for con-
and stray light rejection. The spectrophotometer should be
taining the solution during irradiation, or alternatively, glass
able to read visible spectrum absorbance values of up to 2
vials with lids having aluminum or polyethylene liners, or
with an uncertainty of no more than t 1 %.
disposable plastic vials, using only polymeric materials
5.1.3 Glass Cuvettes with optical windows and path
known to be resistant to any chemical effects by the solvents
lengths of 5 to 100 mm, depending on the dose range of
that are used. Another type of container for irradiation may
interest and on the size of the dosimeter ampoule used for
be a cuvette equipped with a tightly closed cap. Any glass
irradiations. Glass flow cells with parallel optical windows
container should be cleaned with laboratory distilled water
and detergent, rinsed with doubly distilled water and then
may be an alternative means of holding the solutions for
spectrophotometry. with ethanol, dried at elevated temperature (~300°C) and
3

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IS0 15565:1998(E) 0 IS0
cim E 1540
cooled to ambient laboratory temperature before being used acetic acid, nitrobenzoic acid, polyvinyl butyral) before
to st
...