WG 5 - TC 45/SC 45B/WG 5

IEC 60761-2:2026 is applicable to equipment intended for simultaneous, delayed or discrete sequential measurement of aerosols in gaseous effluents discharged into the environment.
It is applicable to equipment designed to fulfil the following functions:
- the measurement of the volumetric activity (Bq/m3) of the aerosols in either gaseous effluents or the released total activity of aerosols (Bq), or both;
- the actuation of an alarm signal when either a predetermined volumetric activity or a predetermined total released activity of aerosols is exceeded.
This equipment is intended for measurement over a wide range of activity, including very small quantities in the presence of a much larger natural background. The daughters of 222Rn (radon) and 220Rn (thoron) are naturally occurring aerosols contributing to the natural background.
The objective of this document is to establish specific standard requirements, including technical characteristics and general test conditions, and to give examples of acceptable methods for aerosol effluent monitors.
The general requirements, technical characteristics, test procedures, radiation characteristics, electrical, mechanical, safety and environmental characteristics are given in IEC 60761-1. Unless otherwise stated, these requirements apply to this document.
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60761-1:2002. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2002. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- more precise tests for air-flow were added:
- sampled volume correctness;
- flow-rate robustness;
- uncertainties have been taken into account for the reference response test;
- addition of tests against aerosol granulometry variation;
- creating a uniform functionality test for all environmental, electromagnetic and mechanical tests and a requirement for the coefficient of variation of each nominal mean reading.

IEC 61017:2016 is applicable to transportable, mobile or installed assemblies intended to measure environmental air kerma rates or air absorbed dose rates from 30 nGy⋅h-1 to 30μGy⋅h-1 or ambient dose equivalent rates from 30 nSv⋅h-1 to 30 μSv⋅h-1, or air kerma or air absorbed dose from 10 nGy to 10 mGy, or ambient dose equivalent from 10 nSv to 10 mSv, due to photon radiation of energy between 50 keV and 7 MeV. The measurable range of dose and dose rate can be extended by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer. This extension may be realized by combining more than one detector, for example NaI(Tl) scintillator and ionization chamber. For most environmental applications, instruments may measure over a more limited energy range of 80 keV to 3 MeV.

IEC 61275:2013 is applicable to a portable or transportable photon spectrometry assembly using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector to survey, in situ, generally at 1 m above ground level, areas in the environment for discrete radionuclides. This standard specifies for such an assembly the general characteristics and test methods for evaluating radiation, electrical, mechanical, safety and environmental characteristics specific to the applications described above. Advice is also provided in annexes as to the calibration, appropriate use and interpretation of the system for in situ measurements. The main technical changes with regard to the previous edition are as follows:
- encompass the latest technologies;
- revise test methods to account for methodological developments and performance criteria with the latest HPGe detector technologies and digital electronics.

IEC 62438:2010 is applicable to mobile radiation detection systems used for the detection, quantification and identification of photon and/or neutron emitters in the environment. This includes point and distributed radiation sources. The object of this standard is to:
- establish minimum requirements for the instrumentation;
- establish requirements for deployment and operations;
- provide test and calibration methods; and
- provide guidance to procurement for appropriate equipment. This standard cancels and replaces IEC 61134, issued in 1992. The scope of IEC 61134 was restricted to exploration for geological deposits of potassium, uranium and thorium. IEC 62438:2010 incorporates the range of currently available detector technologies and incorporates neutron monitoring. This standard also relates to a wide range of mobile platform applications including environmental, emergency response, security in addition to geological.

Defines technical requirements for equipment for monitoring of alpha-, beta- or gamma-emitting radionuclides in liquid effluents and surface waters, provides general guidance as to the possible detection capability of such equipment and indicates when and where its uses may be practicable.

Defines type test methods permitting calibration and measurement of the effectiveness of radon daughters' compensation of radioactive aerosol monitors.