Development of a rapid technique for sequential separation of plutonium/americium in nasal swab using solvent extraction and liquid scintillation spectrometry.

A rapid radiochemical method has been developed for estimation of plutonium and americium in nasal swab using extractive liquid scintillation spectrometry. The method involves solvent extraction of plutonium and americium from pre-treated nasal swab using 0.2 M Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoricacid prepared in toluene scintillator & back extraction of americium in aqueous phase using 0.35 M HNO3. Activity assessment was carried out using liquid scintillation spectrometry. Overall recovery obtained was 96% for plutonium and 76% for americium with a sample turnaround time of 3 h.

A rapid method for estimation of Pu-isotopes in urine samples using high volume centrifuge.

The conventional radio-analytical technique used for estimation of Pu-isotopes in urine samples involves anion exchange/TEVA column separation followed by alpha spectrometry. This sequence of analysis consumes nearly 3-4 days for completion. Many a times excreta analysis results are required urgently, particularly under repeat and incidental/emergency situations. Therefore, there is need to reduce the analysis time for the estimation of Pu-isotopes in bioassay samples. This paper gives the details of standardization of a rapid method for estimation of Pu-isotopes in urine samples using multi-purpose centrifuge, TEVA resin followed by alpha spectrometry. The rapid method involves oxidation of urine samples, co-precipitation of plutonium along with calcium phosphate followed by sample preparation using high volume centrifuge and separation of Pu using TEVA resin. Pu-fraction was electrodeposited and activity estimated using 236Pu tracer recovery by alpha spectrometry. Ten routine urine samples of radiation workers were analyzed and consistent radiochemical tracer recovery was obtained in the range 47-88% with a mean and standard deviation of 64.4% and 11.3% respectively. With this newly standardized technique, the whole analytical procedure is completed within 9h (one working day hour).

Applying a low energy HPGe detector gamma ray spectrometric technique for the evaluation of Pu/Am ratio in biological samples.

The estimation of Pu/(241)Am ratio in the biological samples is an important input for the assessment of internal dose received by the workers. The radiochemical separation of Pu isotopes and (241)Am in a sample followed by alpha spectrometry is a widely used technique for the determination of Pu/(241)Am ratio. However, this method is time consuming and many times quick estimation is required. In this work, Pu/(241)Am ratio in the biological sample was estimated with HPGe detector based measurements using gamma/X-rays emitted by these radionuclides. These results were compared with those obtained from alpha spectroscopy of sample after radiochemical analysis and found to be in good agreement.

Use of fission track analysis technique for the determination of MicroBequerel level of 239Pu in urine samples from radiation workers handling MOX fuel.

Fission track analysis (FTA) technique for the determination of (239)Pu excreted through urine has been standardized using blank samples, tracer and (239)Pu spikes. Double stage anion exchange separation protocol has been applied and an average radiochemical recovery of (239)Pu of 18% was obtained. An average track registration efficiency of 11 tracks per µBq of (239)Pu, irradiated to 0.35×10(17) neutron fluence was established. Reagent blank urine samples from 11 controlled subjects were analyzed by FTA and an average of 149±14 tracks was obtained. Minimum detectable activity of 34µBqL(-1) of urine sample was obtained and will be useful for monitoring chronic exposure cases handling MOX fuel.

Derivation and validation of a urinary excretion function for plutonium based on occupational exposure.

Formation of a three-component urinary excretion function using the data of occupational exposure cases is described. Measurement results of plutonium inhalation from two subjects over 6000 and 2500 d are used in the derivation of this function. The three-component excretion function obtained is U(t) = 0.0008e(-0.0566(t)) + 0.00009e(-0.0042(t)) + 0.00004e(-0.00008(t)). The function is therefore proposed as a reliable basis to make an uptake assessment for operational control for mixed class of plutonium dominated by M-class chronic exposure.

Use of faecal excretion function for quick estimation of initial and existing lung burden for occupational exposure control due to 239Pu for S-class of intake.

Two functions namely initial lung deposition and lung retention per unit faecal excretion rate are constructed primarily based on the excretion pattern of four subjects exposed to (239)Pu. In the absence of initial clear knowledge about the class of compound inhaled, faecal to urine excretion ratio was used to infer the type of inhaled class. Trends in the urine and faecal data had suggested that the intake was due to mixed class of plutonium compound for each case. With the assumption of 1:1 mixture of plutonium M&S class inhaled compound, faecal excretion rates for only S-class intake were worked out. Uptake inferred based on their urinary data had suggested it to be of similar level within 40% of uncertainty for 5 microm particle size distribution. Data, all the four cases, were pooled for analysis citing the similar level of intake, particle size distribution, nature and pattern of work. The function obtained was tested for S-class lung retention and faecal excretion rate value. These functions are handy tool for estimating initial lung burden and lung retention value for low level of S-class plutonium intake based on subject faecal analysis data.