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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Determination of plutonium in air and smear samples

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6613012· OSTI ID:6613012
A method has been developed for the determination of plutonium in air samples and smear samples that were collected on filter papers. The sample papers are digested in nitric acid, extracted into 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA)-xylene, and evaporated onto stainless steel disks. Alpha spectrometry is employed to determine the activity of each plutonium isotope. Each sample is spiked with plutonium-236. All glassware used in the procedure is disposable. The detection limits are 3 and 5 dpm (disintegrations per minute) for air and smear samples, respectively, with an average recovery of 87%.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6613012
Report Number(s):
Y-2237
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English