scope:

ISO 18589-7:2013 specifies the identification of radionuclidesand the measurement of their activity in soil using in situ gammaspectrometry with portable systems equipped with germanium orscintillation detectors. ISO 18589-7:2013 is suitable to rapidlyassess the activity of artificial and natural radionuclidesdeposited on or present in soil layers of large areas of a siteunder investigation. ISO 18589-7:2013 can be used in connectionwith radionuclide measurements of soil samples in the laboratory(ISO 18589-3) in the following cases: ? routine surveillance of theimpact of radioactivity released from nuclear installations or ofthe evolution of radioactivity in the region; ? investigations ofaccident and incident situations; ? planning and surveillance ofremedial action; ? decommissioning of installations or theclearance of materials. It can also be used for the identificationof airborne artificial radionuclides, when assessing the exposurelevels inside buildings or during waste disposal operations.Following a nuclear accident, in situ gamma spectrometry is apowerful method for rapid evaluation of the gamma activitydeposited onto the soil surface as well as the surficialcontamination of flat objects.