Rapid measurement of actinides in urine by mass and alpha spectrometric methods

To provide timely information for prompting decision-making in emergency radiation therapy, we developed simple and rapid mass and alpha spectrometric methods for urinary bioassays to determine ultra-trace actinide isotopes. For the mass spectrometric method, after organic matter decomposition, LaF3/CaF2 co-precipitation and chromatographic purification using 2 ml of AG MP-1 M anion exchange resin, U and Pu isotopes were measured in a 20-ml urine sample by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. In the alpha spectrometric method, after organic matter decomposition, iron hydroxide co-precipitation and chromatographic purification using 2 ml of TEVA and 2 ml of DGA resin cartridges, Pu, U and Am/Cm isotopes were measured in a 500-ml urine sample by alpha spectrometry. These alpha and mass spectrometric methods were then applied for participation in the 2020 intercomparison organized by the Association for the PROmotion of Quality COntrol in RADiotoxicological Analysis (PROCORAD), France, for method validations.

Automated summary

In order to provide timely information for decision-making in emergency radiation therapy, we have developed mass and alpha spectrometric methods to determine ultra-trace actinide isotopes.