NBN ISO 16640:2021

This document focuses on monitoring the activity concentrations of radioactive gases. They allow the
calculation of the activity releases, in the gaseous effluent discharge from facilities producing positron
emitting radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals. Such facilities produce short-lived radionuclides
used for medical purposes or research and can release gases typically including, but not limited to 18
F,
11C,
15O and
13N. These facilities include accelerators, radiopharmacies, hospitals and universities. This
document provides performance-based criteria for the design and use of air monitoring equipment
including probes, transport lines, sample monitoring instruments, and gas flow measuring methods.
This document also provides information on monitoring program objectives, quality assurance,
development of air monitoring control action levels, system optimisation and system performance
verification.
The goal of achieving an unbiased measurement is accomplished either by direct (in-line) measurement
on the exhaust stream or with samples extracted from the exhaust stream (bypass), provided that the
radioactive gases are well mixed in the airstream. This document sets forth performance criteria and
recommendations to assist in obtaining valid measurements.
NOTE 1 The criteria and recommendations of this document are aimed at monitoring which is conducted for
regulatory compliance and system control. If existing air monitoring systems were not designed according to the
performance criteria and recommendations of this document, an evaluation of the performance of the system
is advised. If deficiencies are discovered based on a performance evaluation, a determination of the need for a
system retrofit is to be made and corrective actions adopted where practicable.
NOTE 2 The criteria and recommendations of this document apply under both normal and off-normal
operating conditions, provided that these conditions do not include production of aerosols or vapours. If the
normal and/ or off-normal conditions produce aerosols and vapours, then the aerosol collection principles of
ISO 2889 also apply.