DIN IEC 61577-3:2012-06

Radon is a radioactive trace gas produced by the decay of ²²⁶Ra, ²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra, respectively decay products of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U and ²³²Th which are present in the earth's crust. By decay, radon isotopes produce three decay chains, each ending in a stable lead isotope. Radon isotopes and their corresponding short-lived Radon Decay Products (RnDP) are of considerable importance, as they constitute the major part of the radiological exposure to natural radioactivity for the general public and workers. In some workplaces such as underground mines, spas and waterworks, the workers are exposed to very significant levels of radon decay products. Various quantities of these radionuclides are airborne: in a gaseous form for the radon isotopes and as particulates for the radon decay products. The purpose of this part of the DIN IEC 61577 series is to describe the specific requirements for testing instruments intended for measuring radon decay product activity concentration and/or volume potential alpha energy of airborne radon decay products outdoors, in dwellings and in work-places, including underground mines. The DIN IEC 61577 standard series consists of four standards: - DIN IEC 61577-1 (VDE 0493-1-10-1):2007-06, "Radiation protection instrumentation - Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments - Part 1: General principles" (IEC 61577-1:2006) - DIN IEC 61577-2:2001-09, "Radiation protection instrumentation - Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments - Part 2: Specific requirements for radon measuring instruments" (IEC 61577-2:2000) - DIN IEC 61577-3 (VDE 0493-1-10-3):2012, "Radiation protection instrumentation - Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments - Part 3: Specific requirements for radon decay product measuring instruments" (IEC 61577-3:2011) - DIN IEC 61577-4 (VDE 0493-1-10-4):2009-10, "Radiation protection instrumentation - Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments - Part 4: Equipment for the production of reference atmospheres containing radon isotopes and their decay products (STAR)" (IEC 61577-4:2009) The responsible committee is GUK 967.2 "Aktivitätsmessgeräte für den Strahlenschutz" ("Activity measuring instruments for radiation protection") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE, Joint Committee with the Radiology Standards Committee (NAR) at DIN.