An intercomparison study of neptunium-237 determination in artificial urine samples

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Radioactivity and Radiochemistry

OSTI ID:401788

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

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1. 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 find the present {open_quotes}optimal{close_quotes} method 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) 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 the most accurate results obtained by alpha-particle spectrometry but not any better. Alpha-particle spectrometry measurements overall gave consistently better agreement with the known values.

• OSTI ID: 401788
• Journal Information: Radioactivity and Radiochemistry, Journal Name: Radioactivity and Radiochemistry Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 6; ISSN RARAE6; ISSN 1045-845X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ALPHA SPECTROSCOPY
ICP MASS SPECTROSCOPY
IN VITRO
INTERFERING ELEMENTS
NEPTUNIUM 237
URINE