BS ISO 16638-2:2019

What is ISO 16638‑2-Ingestion of uranium compounds in monitoring and internal dosimetry for specific materials about?

ISO 16638 discusses monitoring and internal dosimetry for radiation protection. ISO 16638‑2 is an international standard on ingestion of uranium compounds in monitoring and internal dosimetry for specific materials to ensure protection against radiation hazards.

ISO 16638‑2 is the second part of a multi-part series that specifies the minimum requirements for the design of professional programs to monitor workers exposed to a risk of ingestion of uranium compounds.

ISO 16638‑2 establishes principles for the development of compatible goals and requirements for monitoring programs, and dose assessment for workers occupationally exposed to internal contamination.

ISO 16638‑2 also establishes procedures and assumptions for risk analysis, monitoring programs, and the standardized interpretation of monitoring data to achieve acceptable levels of reliability for uranium and its compounds.

ISO 16638‑2 addresses, for ingestion of uranium and its compounds, the following items:

• Purposes of monitoring and monitoring programs
• Description of the distinct categories of monitoring programs
• Suitable methods for monitoring and criteria for their selection
• Information that is collected for the design of a monitoring program
• Procedures for dose assessment based on reference levels for special monitoring program
• Criteria for determining the significance of monitoring results
• Uncertainties arising from dose assessment and interpretation of bioassays data
• Reporting/documentation
• Quality assurance
• Record-keeping requirements

Note: ISO 16638‑2 does not apply to the following items:

• Detailed descriptions of measuring methods and techniques for uranium
• Modeling for the improvement of internal dosimetry
• The potential influence of countermeasures (e.g., administration of chelating agents)
• Investigation of the causes or implications of an exposure
• Dosimetry for inhalation exposures and contaminated wounds

Who is ISO 16638‑2- Ingestion of uranium compounds in monitoring and internal dosimetry for specific materials for?

ISO 16638‑2 on the ingestion of uranium compounds in monitoring and internal dosimetry for specific materials is useful for:

• Radiologists
• Radiation monitoring authorities
• Radiation laboratories
• Radiology supervisors
• Employees of radiology departments
• Health and safety departments

Why should you use ISO 16638‑2- Ingestion of uranium compounds in monitoring and internal dosimetry for specific materials?

Protecting workers against the risks of incorporated radionuclides needs monitoring for potential intakes and quantifying actual intakes and exposures. Internal radiation exposure caused by the contamination of radioactive substances results in doses, which cannot be measured directly. Decisions should be made regarding which methods, techniques, frequencies, etc., to select to measure and assess these doses.

ISO 16638‑2 provides you with procedures and assumptions for risk analysis, monitoring programs, and the standardized interpretation of monitoring data to achieve acceptable levels of reliability for uranium and its compounds.

The requirements and procedures provided by ISO 16638‑2 assist you to improve the performance of monitoring programs and dose assessment thus, reducing the risk from radionuclide intakes.

By adopting ISO 16638‑2 the user can enhance the efficiency of monitoring programs to ensure safe and satisfactory radiological conditions in the workplace.