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 ⁸⁹Sr 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.

All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.