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Fission track analysis of Pu in small specimens of biological material: Technical progress report, August 1, 1987--July 31, 1988

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6275572· OSTI ID:6275572
The objective of this research is to develop a highly specific and ultrasensitive method capable of detecting 100 aCi/liter of /sup 239/Pu in human urine. The method using neutron induced fission track analysis is to be made free of interference from uranium, the only naturally occurring element with an isotope which fissions with thermal neutrons. A simplified flow diagram for the method is shown in Figure 1. Briefly /sup 239/Pu is coprecipitated quantitatively from urine with rhodozonic acid. The precipitate containing the /sup 239/Pu is dissolved in HCl and is sequentially passed through two ion exchange columns and reduced in volume. The element is then deposited in a circular area on a thick polycarbonate detector and a thinner detector is placed over the circular deposit. The plastic detectors are then irradiated to a high thermal neutron fluence in a research reactor. The detectors are etched in a caustic solution for controlled times and temperatures in order to develop the fission tracks. Images of tracks are formed both on the thin and thick plastic detectors. Total tracks in the thinner detector are measured with a locally developed spark counter and in the thick plastic are measured by counting with a microscope. The results will be made quantitative by constructing a calibration curve for /sup 239/Pu. 3 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs.
Research Organization:
Utah Univ., Salt Lake City (USA). Coll. of Medicine
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-86NV10574
OSTI ID:
6275572
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/10574-3; ON: DE89009924
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English