Methodology for determination of radiostrontium in milk: a review

Abstract

-This paper presents a review on all available analytical methods for 90 Sr and 89 Sr determination in milk. Special attention was focused on the parameter of the performing time in order to assess the rapid measurement of milk contamination, especially in the case of emergency situations such as a nuclear plant accident. Preliminarily, a short description of the milk matrix and radiostrontium transfer from soil to milk and its derivatives is given. Then analytical procedures are examined step by step. 90 Sr and 89 Sr can be separately determined in less than 2 days by a rapid sample pretreatment and the use of a liquid scintillation detector.Strontium / radioactivity / analytical method / milk Résumé -Revue des méthodes de dosage du radiostrontium dans le lait. Cet article présente l'ensemble des méthodes analytiques disponibles pour le dosage du 90 Sr et du 89 Sr dans le lait. Cette étude attache une importance toute particulière à la durée d'analyse dans le but d'une estimation rapide de la contamination du lait telle qu'elle est rendue nécessaire dans le cas de situations d'urgences comme l'accident d'une centrale nucléaire. En préliminaires, une rapide description de la matrice lait et du transfert du radiostrontium du sol au lait et ses dérivés est donnée. Puis, les procédures analytiques sont examinées étape par étape. Les isotopes 90 et 89 du strontium peuvent être déterminés séparément en moins de 2 jours par un traitement rapide de l'échantillon et l'utilisation d'un détecteur à scintillation liquide. Strontium / radioactivité / méthode d'analyse / lait

Fast determination of 90Sr/90Y activity in milk by Cherenkov counting

“…However, for a fast screening procedure of possible 90 Sr/ 90 Y contaminated milk, MDA levels lower than the regulatory limits for accidental contamination can be reached within acceptable counting time. As mentioned by Brun et al (2003), a low detection limit may not be of major importance when compared with the advantage of a short analysis time and sample preparation.…”

“…Tait et al (1997) employed a solid phase extraction system and Kabai et al (2011) described a fast analytical method based on three steps, using a Sr-specific resin. An overview of available methods for determination of radio-strontium in milk, focusing on the parameter of the performing time, can be found in Brun et al (2003). In view of the complexity of the different chemical stages and the long processing time required, a direct counting method is desirable.…”

Determination of 90Sr in milk and milk powder in Tehran and estimation of annual effective dose

“…According to the Currie criteria, the minimum detectable levels, MDLs (Bq kg -1 ), is defined so that, if an amount of a radioisotope equals to the MDL exits in the sample, it will be detected with 95% probability (Brun et al 2003;Alvarez et al 1995). In the condition of the present research, we used the following relation to determine the MDL values:…”

“…The biologically hazardous radionuclide 90 Sr, which is present in our environment, is an artificial radionuclide, produced essentially by the 235 U and 239 Pu fission reaction, which has occurred during the previous atmospheric nuclear tests and nuclear reactor accidents (Brun et al 2003;Stamoulis et al 2007).…”

Measurements of Strontium-90 in portuguese milk samples using liquid scintillation counting technique

“…Nowadays, the activity levels in milk samples are low and to reach these levels, larger volume of sample (>1 L) or larger counting times are required. A variety of radioanalytical procedures of 90 Sr determination in milk is available [1]. This kind of analysis is difficult due to the significant quantities of proteins, fats and calcium present in the samples.…”