BS EN ISO 10704:2019

What is BS EN ISO 10704:2019 about?  

BS EN ISO 10704 is one of a set of International Standards on test methods dealing with the measurement of the activity concentration of radionuclides in water samples. BS EN ISO 10704 specifies a method for the determination of gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration for alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides.  

Gross alpha and gross beta activity measurement is not intended to give an absolute determination of the activity concentration of all alpha and beta emitting radionuclides in a test sample. 

NOTE: The method covers non-volatile radionuclides since some gaseous or volatile radionuclides (e.g. radon and radioiodine) can be lost during the source preparation. 

Who is BS EN ISO 10704 for? 

BS EN ISO 10704 on water quality (gross alpha and gross beta activity) is useful for: 

• Government laboratories 
• Industries that release wastewater into water bodies 
• Geological scientists 
• Nuclear power plants 
• Public water supply systems 

Why should you use BS EN ISO 10704? 

Working with radioactive materials, you need to dispose waste responsibly. The way you do this has a direct impact on the people’s health. When releasing water from your facility, you ensure that the radionuclides present in this water stay within the authorized concentration limits. The test method in BS EN ISO 10704 on water quality guides you to measure the activity concentration of these radionuclides in wastewater before storage or discharge into the environment.  

BS EN ISO 10704 can be adapted so that the character limits, decision threshold, detection limit and uncertainties ensure that the radionuclide activity concentrations test results can be verified to be below the guidance levels required by a national authority. 

Implementing the methods mentioned in BS EN ISO 10704 will ensure that you are not releasing hazardous materials into natural water bodies. This also helps to preserve the health of local wildlife and vegetation.  

Since natural waterbodies are still the major sources of drinking water BS EN ISO 10704 on water quality will also help determine if it's safe for consumption depending on the radionuclide concentration.  

Lastly it will also impact your reputation in the market positively as implementing BS EN ISO 10704 will project your organization as socially and environmentally responsible. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN ISO 10704:2019 supersedes BS EN ISO 10704:2015, which is withdrawn. 

The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows: 

• Introduction and information about the exclusion of low energy beta emitters has been added 
• The filtration has been specified 
• The recommended thickness has been increased 
• New formula has been introduced 
• Several limitations and interferences and the natural radionuclides contributions have been given