Novel rapid oxidizing fusion method to determine Polonium-210 in air filters

Maxwell, Sherrod L.; McAlister, Daniel R.; Sudowe, Ralf

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108833

Novel rapid oxidizing fusion method to determine Polonium-210 in air filters

Journal Article · Thu Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Applied Radiation and Isotopes

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108833· OSTI ID:1602970

Maxwell, Sherrod L. ^[1]; McAlister, Daniel R. ^[2]; Sudowe, Ralf ^[3]

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Aiken, SC (United States)
Eichrom Technologies, LLC, Lisle, IL (United States)
Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)

A rapid method for the determination of polonium-210 in air filters has been created for use following a radiological event and for routine environmental monitoring. Air filter samples, including cellulose and glass fiber, are fused with a sodium or potassium nitrate/sodium hydroxide flux material. The alkaline matrix minimizes polonium volatility during sample digestion steps, while efficiently dissolving the air filter and inorganic matter implanted on the filter. The addition of nitrate to the flux destroys organic material which can decrease Polonium recovery during precipitation, extraction and source preparation steps. Polonium is concentrated and separated from the sample matrix using an iron hydroxide precipitation and extraction chromatography with DGA Resin. Polonium-210 is subsequently measured by alpha spectrometry following rapid microprecipitation with bismuth phosphate. The new method employs extraction chromatographic purification to remove alpha emitting interferences and sample matrix constituents which can interfere with ²¹⁰Po measurements using alpha spectrometry. The novel blend of sodium hydroxide and alkali metal nitrate digests the air filters quickly and effectively.

Research Organization:: Savannah River National Lab (SRNL), Aiken, SC (United States); Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC09-08SR22470

OSTI ID:: 1602970

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1563049
OSTI ID: 22846711

Report Number(s):: SRNS-STI--2019-00469

Journal Information:: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Journal Name: Applied Radiation and Isotopes Journal Issue: C Vol. 153; ISSN 0969-8043

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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