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Preliminary comparison of two techniques for bioassay of urine for plutonium

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6608732
A single 5-liter composite urine sample obtained by Brookhaven National Laboratory personnel from inhabitants of the Marshall Islands was analyzed for plutonium content using two different chemical sample preparation methods. Two of the five litters were prepared using a basic phosphate precipitation and three of the five liters were analyzed using complete dissolution of samples by wet ashing methods. In both cases these procedures were followed by separation of the plutonium by solvent extraction methods and counting by a special type of alpha liquid scintillation counting developed at ORNL called PERALS (Photon-Electron Rejecting Alpha Liquid Scintillation) spectrometry. The average plutonium concentration was 5.1 Bq/1 (0.09 dpm/1) +- 10%. The advantages and disadvantages of both methods are presented and discussed.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6608732
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-8531; ON: DE83004233
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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