DIN EN ISO 18589-3:2025-04

The characterization of environmental radioactivity provides a distribution pattern of activity with the aim of identifying areas with potentially increased exposure. These investigations provide the basis for estimating exposure from natural and artificial radioactivity in human activities. This part of the DIN EN ISO 18589 series of standards describes the determination of a large number of gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides in soils and the measurement of their activity using gamma spectrometry. This method is used to determine all gamma emitters with a photon energy between 5 keV and 3 MeV in a single measurement for large-volume samples (up to approximately 3 000 cm³). The standard is intended for persons responsible for determining activities in soils that emit gamma radiation in the context of radiation protection. It is suitable for the surveillance of the environment and the inspection of a site and allows, in case of accidents, a quick evaluation of gamma activity of soil samples. This might concern soils from gardens, farmland, urban or industrial sites that can contain building materials rubble, as well as soil not affected by human activities. This standard deals exclusively with gamma spectrometry using semiconductor detectors.