A multi-collector ICP-MS method for quantification of plutonium, uranium, and americium in hair and nails of occupationally or medically exposed individuals

Journal Article · 27 December 2023 · Talanta

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125607 · OSTI ID:2342113

Arbova, Dana L. ^[1]; Tolmachev, Sergei Y.  ^[2]; Brockman, John D.  ^[3]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)
2. Washington State Univ., Richland, WA (United States)
3. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)

The ²³⁹Pu, ²³⁸U, and ²⁴¹Am concentrations and ²³⁹Pu/²⁴⁰Pu, ²³⁵U/²³⁸U, and ²³⁶U/²³⁸U atom ratios were measured in the hair and nail samples from individuals who donated their bodies to the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries. Further, the concentration of ²³⁹Pu ranged from 0.22–15.8 ng/kg. The ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu isotopic ratios ranged from 0.026 to 0.127 which is consistent with weapons-grade plutonium. Concentration of uranium fell between 1.84 µg/kg and 29.5 µg/kg and ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios ranged from 4.8×10^-3 to 7.6×10^-3. Elevated ²³⁶U/²³⁸U atom ratios were measured in two cases and ranged from 5.0×10^-6 – 2.4×10^-5 indicating exposure to spent or reprocessed uranium material. The concentration of ²⁴¹Am was measured in four hair samples and ranged from 0.02–0.21 ng/kg.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830; HS0000073
• OSTI ID: 2342113
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA--181772; {"Journal ID: ISSN 0039-9140",""}
• Journal Information: Talanta, Journal Name: Talanta Vol. 270; ISSN 0039-9140
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English