ISO 8690-2024 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 8690-2024 — Measurement of radioactivity — Gamma ray and beta emitting radionuclides — Test method to assess the ease of decontamination of surface materials. This international standard specifies a rapid laboratory method to compare how easily radioactive contamination (commonly gamma- and beta-emitting radionuclides) can be removed from different surface materials used in the nuclear industry, storage and disposal facilities.

Abstract

The standard defines a controlled laboratory contamination and decontamination procedure using aqueous forms of commonly encountered radionuclides (for example 137Cs, 134Cs and 60Co) to generate comparative decontaminability data for surface materials and coatings. It is intended as a comparative selection tool for materials and coatings rather than a direct measure of operational decontamination performance, and it does not replace standards that describe general decontamination procedures or assess decontamination efficiency in practical operations.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: September 2024 (2024-09)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 13.280 (Radiation protection and nuclear technology)
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2024)
• Number of pages: 34

Scope

This document applies to laboratory testing of surfaces that may become contaminated by radioactive materials and provides a rapid, repeatable test to compare the ease of decontamination of different surface materials and coatings. The method focuses on aqueous contaminants containing gamma- and beta-emitting radionuclides commonly encountered in the nuclear sector; it can be adapted for other radionuclides or chemical forms where appropriate. The test is not intended to prescribe operational decontamination procedures nor to fully predict in-service decontamination outcomes, which depend on additional factors such as contaminant chemistry, exposure duration and environmental conditions. The method is also not suitable for radiochemicals that emit very low-energy gamma rays or beta particles that are strongly attenuated by the surface or coating.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined contamination procedure using aqueous radionuclide solutions (examples: 137Cs, 134Cs, 60Co).
• Controlled application of contaminant and standardized decontamination actions to enable comparative results.
• Measurement of residual radioactivity (gamma and beta) on test specimens to quantify decontaminability.
• Requirements for test specimen preparation, handling and radiation-measurement techniques to ensure repeatability.
• Guidance on interpretation: results are comparative and used for material/coating selection rather than as operational performance guarantees.
• Limitations: not for assessing full decontamination procedures or low-energy emitters whose emissions are strongly attenuated.

Typical use and users

The standard is typically used by materials engineers, coating manufacturers, radiation protection laboratories, nuclear facility designers and operators, decommissioning teams, and regulatory bodies to compare and select surface materials and coatings based on how easily contamination can be removed in a controlled laboratory setting. Laboratories performing product qualification, manufacturers developing low-decontaminability coatings, and procurement/specification writers in the nuclear sector commonly rely on the method to support material selection and quality control.

Related standards

Closely related documents include standards that address decontamination procedures and measurement of decontamination effectiveness (for example ISO 7503 series). Earlier editions of this standard (ISO 8690:1988 and later ISO 8690:2020) have been withdrawn and replaced by the 2024 edition; users should consult the ISO catalogue and relevant TC 85/SC 2 publications for companion and cross-referenced standards in radiation protection and decontamination testing.

Keywords

decontamination; decontaminability; radioactive contamination; gamma-emitting radionuclides; beta-emitting radionuclides; surface materials; coatings; nuclear industry; test method; 137Cs; 134Cs; 60Co.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8690:2024 is an international test method that specifies a laboratory procedure to compare the ease of removing gamma- and beta-emitting radioactive contamination from surface materials and coatings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, contamination with aqueous radionuclide solutions (commonly 137Cs, 134Cs and 60Co), standardized decontamination actions, and measurement of residual radioactivity to produce comparative decontaminability data. It does not prescribe operational decontamination techniques or predict in-service performance under all conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and coatings manufacturers, radiation protection and testing laboratories, nuclear facility operators, decommissioning contractors, procurement/specification teams, and regulatory authorities use the standard for material selection, product qualification and comparative testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 8690:2024 is the current published edition (Edition 3, published September 2024). It supersedes earlier editions, including ISO 8690:1988 and interim versions; those earlier editions have been withdrawn and replaced by the 2024 edition. Users should apply the 2024 text for current requirements and consult national adoption documents where applicable.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The standard is part of the body of ISO work on radiation protection and decontamination testing under ISO/TC 85 and is often used alongside related standards such as the ISO 7503 series that address decontamination procedures and assessment methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Decontamination, decontaminability, radioactive contamination, gamma, beta, surface materials, coatings, nuclear industry, test method, 137Cs, 60Co.