Determination of 241Am in urine using sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS)

Abstract

Quantification of 241Am in urine at low levels is important for assessment of individuals’ or populations’ accidental, environmental, or terrorism-related internal contamination, but no convenient, precise method has been established to rapidly determine these low levels. Here we report a new analytical method to measure 241Am as developed and validated at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by means of the selective retention of Am from urine directly on DGA resin, followed by SF-ICP-MS detection. The method provides rapid results with a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.22 pg/L (0.028 Bq/L), which is lower than 1/3 of the C/P CDG for 241Am at 5 days post-exposure. The results obtained by this method closely agree with CDC values as measured by Liquid Scintillation Counting, and with National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST) Certified Reference Materials (CRM) target values.

Determination of 237Np and 239Pu in urine using sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS)

“…The sample introduction system consists of a computer-controlled ASX-112 (Cetac, Omaha, NE) autosampler and an Aridus II™ (Cetac, Omaha, NE) desolvation unit. The Aridus II™ setup increases the sensitivity of the SF-ICP-MS by >10 times, enabling measurement of 237 Np and 239 Pu at the low level of <1 pg/L [17,29].…”

“…A limit of detection (LOD) of ~0.02 ng/L can be reached with a conventional quadrupole ICP-MS for 239 Pu [13]. Detection limits at the picogram per liter level have been reported with Sector Field ICP-MS (SF-ICP-MS) for actinides [14][15][16][17][18]. For a number of radionuclides, these LODs are comparable to those of alpha spectrometry methods.…”

Plasma source mass spectrometry for radioactive waste characterisation in support of nuclear decommissioning: a review

“…116 Chemical separation techniques prior to sample introduction include precipitation/co-precipitation and/or liquid-liquid extraction, ion exchange chromatography and extraction chromatography. 57,306 Providing these interferences can be effectively removed, ICP-SFMS can match the detection limits of alpha spectrometry. 62 Krachler et al (2014) noted the absence of matrix-matched reference materials, leading to determination of Am in spent nuclear fuels using both high resolution ICP-OES and ICP-SFMS (Thermo Element 2) installed in a glovebox.…”

“…A method for 241 Am determination in urine was developed and validated at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 306 Measurements were performed using ICP-SFMS (Thermo Element XR) equipped with a CETAC Aridus desolvating sample introduction system, with a detection limit of 0.22 pg L À1 (0.028 Bq L À1 ). These values were in good agreement with liquid scintillation counting (LSC), and NIST CRM target values.…”

Method for Ultratrace Level 241Am Determination in Large Soil Samples by Sector Field-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: With Emphasis on the Removal of Spectral Interferences and Matrix Effect

“…Guérin et al separated Pu from Am using TEVA and DGA-N resins for 0.2 g soil samples. Xiao et al proved the robustness of the removal of Pb, Tl, Hg, and Pb for their procedure based on DGA-N resin for 10 mL urine samples. These recently reported methods simplified the Am analytical procedure and had good Am recoveries.…”