1.1 This practice covers dosimetric procedures to be followed infacility characterization, process qualification, and routineprocessing using electron beam radiation to ensure that the entireproduct has been treated with an acceptable range of absorbeddoses. Other procedures related to facility characterization(including equipment documentation), process qualification, androutine product processing that may influence and may be used tomonitor absorbed dose in the product are also discussed.

Note 1—For guidance in the selection and calibration ofdosimeters, see ISO/ASTM Guide 51261. For further guidance in theselection, calibration, and use of specific dosimeters, andinterpretation of absorbed dose in the product from dosimetry, alsosee ASTM Practice E 668 and ISO/ASTM Practices 51275, 51276, 51431,51607, 51631, and 51650. For use with electron energies above 5MeV, see ASTM Practice E 1026, and ISO/ASTM Practices 51205, 51401,51538, and 51540 for discussions of specific large volumedosimeters. For discussion of radiation dosimetry for pulsedradiation, see ICRU Report 34. When considering a dosimeter type,be cautious of influences from dose rates and accelerator pulserates and widths (if applicable).

1.2 The electron energy range covered in this practice isbetween 300 keV and 25 MeV, although there are some discussions forother energies.

1.3 Dosimetry is only one component of a total quality assuranceprogram for an irradiation facility. Other controls besidesdosimetry may be required for specific applications such as medicaldevice sterilization and food preservation.

1.4 For the irradiation of food and the radiation sterilizationof health care products, other specific ISO standards exist. Forfood irradiation, see ISO/ASTM Practice 51431. For the radiationsterilization of health care products, see ISO 11137. In thoseareas covered by ISO 11137, that standard takes precedence.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establishappropriate safety and health practices and determine theapplicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.