Purpose and Scope

It is the purpose of this standard to set forth the principles which apply in obtaining valid samples of airborne radioactive materials, and to prescribe acceptable methods and materials for gas and particle sampling. The scope of the standard is limited to the collection of samples and does not embrace the measurement of the radioactive materials collected. Exclusion of radiochemical measurement from the scope must not be construed to mean that the measurement of samples is of lesser importance than sampling. Accurate measurement and evaluation are vitally necessary, but can be valid only to the extent that the sample obtained reflects the existing conditions.

The scope of this document is further limited to guides for sampling airborne radioactive materials in installations where work with radioactive materials is conducted, with the primary emphasis on the need to protect the radiation worker. However, its scope does include sampling ~ffluent gases prior to or at the point of release to the atmosphere from the installation. Although the scope thus excludes certain sampling techniques, such as some of those used in environmental and free atmosphere sampling, the principles defined and most of the methods discussed are in most cases generally applicable.