ASTM_D_5928_-_96_2010e1.pdf

Designation:D592896(Reapproved 2010)1Standard Test Method forScreening of Waste for Radioactivity1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5928;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1NOTEEditorial changes were made throughout in January 2010.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the screening for a,b,and gradiation above ambient background levels or user-definedcriteria,or both,in liquid,sludge,or solid waste materials.1.2 This test method is intended to be a gross screeningmethod for determining the presence or absence of radioactivematerials in liquid,sludge,or solid waste materials.It is notintended to replace more sophisticated quantitative analyticaltechniques,but to provide a method for rapidly screeningsamples for radioactivity above ambient background levels oruser-defined criteria,or both,for facilities prohibited fromhandling radioactive waste.1.3 This test method may not be suitable for applicationssuch as site assessments and remediation activities.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials3.Terminology3.1 For terminology related to radioactive materials,seeTerminology C859.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Asample is held within 6 mm of the detector window ofa radiation survey meter,and the visible or audible reaction ofthe meter,or both,is noted.The user defines an application/project specific“negative”and“positive”result criteria.A“negative”test result indicates radiation levels are below theuser-established criteria;a“positive”test result indicates theradiation levels are above the user-established criteria.5.Significance and Use5.1 Most facilities disposing or utilizing waste materials areprohibited from handling wastes that contain radioactive ma-terials.This test method provides the user a rapid method forscreening waste material samples in the field or laboratory forthe presence or absence of radioactivity at user-establishedcriteria.It is important to these facilities to be able to verifygenerator-supplied information that radioactive or mixedwastes have not been included in shipments of waste materials.6.Interferences6.1 Needle deflections or audible clicks of the survey meter,or both,occur due to naturally occurring omni-directionalbackground radiation.This level of ambient background radia-tion should be periodically assessed.See Section 10.6.2 Possible sources of interference include pacemakers,X-ray generating equipment,radium-based luminescent dials,polonium-based static eliminators,and smoke detectors con-taining a radioactive isotope sensing mechanism.Such inter-ferences can usually be traced to their source using the portableinstrument specified in this test method.6.3 A large amount of potassium in the waste sample mayproduce a positive result due to the natural presence of theradioactive isotope,Potassium-40.6.4 The sensitivity of this test method to beta and gammaradiation may be dependent on sample volume.Asmall samplevolume with readings near background levels may give a falsenegative result.6.5 Some radioactive isotopes,such as3H and14C,may notemit radiation of sufficient energy to be detected.If suspectedto be present in the waste,another procedure should be usedthat is appropriate to their determination.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on WasteManagement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 onScreening Methods.Current edition approved Jan.1,2010.Published January 2010.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5928 96(2003).DOI:10.1520/D5928-96R10E01.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.6 Liquid samples,as well as moisture in solid samples,aregood attenuators of radiation and will hinder detection of manyradionuclides unless they emit high-energy gamma radiation.The possible inability to detect alpha particles and low-levelbeta emissions that may be attenuated,in many cases,shouldnot be a serious shortcoming in this test method because theseemissions are often accompanied by higher energy gammaemissions.6.6.1 Moisture-laden Americium-241 bearing