ASTM/ISO 51608-15

4.1 A variety of products and materials are irradiated with X-radiation to modify their characteristics and improve the economic value or to reduce their microbial population for health-related purposes. Dosimetry requirements might vary depending on the type and end use of the product. Some examples of irradiation applications where dosimetry may be used are:

4.2 Radiation processing specifications usually include a pair of absorbed-dose limits: a minimum value to ensure the intended beneficial effect and a maximum value that the product can tolerate while still meeting its functional or regulatory specifications. For a given application, one or both of these values may be prescribed by process specifications or regulations. Knowledge of the dose distribution within irradiated material is essential to help meet these requirements. Dosimetry is essential to the radiation process since it is used to determine both of these limits and to confirm that the product is routinely irradiated within these limits.

4.3 Several critical parameters must be controlled to obtain reproducible dose distributions in the process load. The absorbed-dose distribution within the product depends on the overall product dimensions and mass and irradiation geometry. The processing rate and dose distribution depend on the X-ray intensity, photon energy spectrum, and spatial distribution of the radiation field and conveyor speed.

4.4 Before an irradiator can be used, it must be qualified (IQ, OQ) to determine its effectiveness in reproducibly delivering known, controllable absorbed doses. This involves testing the process equipment, calibrating the equipment and dosimetry system, and characterizing the magnitude, distribution and reproducibility of the absorbed dose delivered by the irradiator for a range of product densities.

4.5 To ensure consistent dose delivery in a qualified irradiation process, routine process control requires procedures for routine product dosimetry and for product handling before and after the treatment, consistent product loading configuration, control and monitoring of critical process parameters, and documentation of the required activities and functions.

1.1 This practice outlines the dosimetric procedures to be followed during installation qualification, operational qualification, performance qualification and routine processing at an X-ray (bremsstrahlung) irradiator. Other procedures related to operational qualification, performance qualification and routine processing that may influence absorbed dose in the product are also discussed.

1.2 For radiation sterilization of health care products, see ISO 11137-1, Sterilization of health care products – Radiation – Part 1: Requirements for development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices. In those areas covered by ISO 11137-1, that standard takes precedence.

1.3 For irradiation of food, see ISO 14470, 1.4 This document is one of a set of standards that provides recommendations for properly implementing and utilizing dosimetry in radiation processing. It is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO/ASTM Practice 52628, “Practice for Dosimetry in Radiation Processing”.

1.5 In contrast to monoenergetic gamma radiation, the X-ray energy spectrum extends from low values (about 35 keV) up to the maximum energy of the electrons incident on the X-ray target (see Section 5 and Annex A1).

1.6 Information about effective or regulatory dose limits and energy limits for X-ray applications is not within the scope of this practice.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.