As scientists become increasingly concerned about the potentially damaging effects of radiation exposure, tests have evolved to measure the presence different types of isotopes in air, water, and soil. ISO 11665-4 describes radon-222 integrated measurement techniques with passive sampling and gives indications for determining the average activity concentration of the radon-222 in the air from measurements based on easy-to-use and low-cost passive sampling. ISO 11665-4 also elaborates on the conditions of use for the sensors.
Note 1: ISO 11665-4 covers samples taken without interruption over periods varying from a few days to one year.
Note 2: ISO 11665-4 provides a measurement that method is applicable to air samples with radon activity concentrations greater than 5 Bq/m3.
ISO 11665-4 on the measurement of radioactivity in the environment (radon 222 testing in air) is useful for:
Radon isotopes 222, 219, and 220 are radioactive gases produced by the disintegration of radium isotopes 226, 223, and 224, which are decay products of uranium-238, uranium-235, and thorium-232 respectively, and are all found in the earth's crust. Solid elements, also radioactive, followed by stable lead are produced by radon disintegration.
ISO 11665-4 provides measurement techniques for radioactivity in the environment with passive sampling to reduce the risk to the overall population. Building codes should be implemented that require radon prevention measures in buildings under construction and radon mitigating measures in existing buildings. Radon measurements are needed because building codes alone cannot guarantee that radon concentrations are below the reference level.
BS ISO 11665-4:2021 supersedes ISO 11665-4:2020, which is withdrawn. BS ISO 11665-4:2021 includes some editorial changes with respect to ISO 11665-4:2020. These include:
ISO 11665-4