BS EN ISO 11665-1:2019

What is this ISO 11665‑1- Radon in air measurement about?

ISO 11665 discusses the measurement of radioactivity in the environment. Since radon present in soil can leech into the environment, it can pose a health risk to people who breathe that air. It is important to measure the quantity of radon in this air to determine whether people are safe in those surroundings.

ISO 11665‑1 is the first part of the multi-series on measurement of radioactivity in the environment that describes radon-222 associated measurement methods. ISO 11665‑1 provides outlines guidance for measuring radon-222 activity concentration and the potential alpha energy concentration of its short-lived decay products in the air.

The measurement methods fall into three categories:

• Spot measurement methods
• Continuous measurement methods
• Integrated measurement methods

ISO 11665‑1 provides several methods commonly used for measuring radon-222 and its short-lived decay products in the air. ISO 11665‑1 also provides guidance on the determination of the inherent uncertainty linked to the measurement methods described in its different parts.

Who is ISO 11665‑1- Radon in air measurement for?

ISO 11665‑1 on radon in air measurement is useful for:

• Environmental bodies
• Health and safety inspectors
• Real estate developers / builders

Why should you use ISO 11665‑1- Radon in air measurement?

Radon present in the soil enters the air via diffusion. Over time, the radon concentration in the air can increase, posing a health hazard for people. Radon activity concentrations in the air depend on radon activity concentration in the underlying soil. 

To limit the risk to individuals, a national reference level of 100 Bq·m-3 is recommended by the World Health Organization. ISO 11665‑1 deals with the origins of radon and its short-lived decay products and associated measurement methods.

ISO 11665‑1 provides associated measurement methods 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.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN ISO 11665‑1:2019 supersedes ISO 11665-1:2012, which is withdrawn. BS EN ISO 11665‑1:2019 includes some technical changes with respect to ISO 11665-1:2012.

These include:

• Update of the Introduction
• In A.2.4, details added for change in radon activities concentration in time and space in buildings
• Update of the Bibliography