An intercomparison study of {sup 237}Np determination in artificial urine samples

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199503000-00007· OSTI ID:255121

Lee, S C ^[1]; Hutchinson, J M.R.; Inn, K G.W. ^[2]

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1. New Mexico State Univ., Carlsbad, NM (United States)
2. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (United States); and others

An intercomparison study of low-level {sup 237}Np determination in artificial urine samples has been carried out. The purpose of this study was to rind the {open_quotes}optimal{close_quotes} method presently available for use in a routine in-vitro radiobioassay program for occupationally exposed workers. Four synthetic urine samples with differing {sup 237}Np concentrations were prepared: (1) 3 mBq kg{sup -1} of {sup 237}Np; (2) 3 mBq kg{sup -1} of {sup 237}Np with natural uranium, {sup 239}Pu and {sup 241}Am as interferences; (3) 50 mBq kg{sup -1} of {sup 237}Np; and (4) a matrix blank. The solutions were submitted to 10 alpha-particle and 10 inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) laboratories of which six and four laboratories, respectively, returned results. Two laboratories performed assays using both techniques. The radiochemical method of choice used {sup 239}Np as the tracer, which utilized a combination of coprecipitation and anion-exchange separation. The best results obtained by ICP-MS were comparable with but not better than the most accurate results obtained by alpha-particle spectrometry. Alpha-particle spectrometry measurements overall gave consistently better agreement with known values. 15 refs., 1 fig., 7 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 255121
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 68; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ACCURACY
ALPHA SPECTROMETERS
BIOASSAY
ICP MASS SPECTROSCOPY
IN VITRO
INTERLABORATORY COMPARISONS
NATURAL URANIUM
NEPTUNIUM 237
PLASMA
RADIOASSAY
URINE