Processing of bone samples for the determination of ultra low-levels of uranium and plutonium

Atomic spectrometry update. Atomic mass spectrometry

“…A TIMS procedure for the determination of Pu and U in bone samples following ashing and chemical separation gave LOD for Pu and U of 8 and 74 pg, respectively, in 100 mg of bone sample. 247 Eliot et al 248 measured fg-quantities of Pu from human urine samples with a LOD of 0.5 fg of 239 Pu. The isotopic abundance of the NIST SRM 4334E ( 242 Pu) was also determined by TIMS and was found to be 99.999 67 atom% 242 Pu.…”

Atomic spectrometry update. Clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…To ensure accurate measurement of very low concentrations of Pu and U in bone samples, Efurd et al 42 established a clean room facility to prepare specimens for analysis by TIMS. The room was used to dry and ash samples, to prepare and use ultra-pure acids and for HPLC.…”

“…Two good reviews on imaging 16 and SIMS 93 were mentioned above as were the clean room conditions assembled to ensure contaminant free analyses. 42 Fahrni 94 discussed the value of SRXRF as a sensitive technique for quantitative mapping of elemental distributions, with submicron resolution. The unique feature of its ability to accept fully hydrated biological samples such as cells and tissues was pointed out.…”

“…Reported LODs were 19 ng g À1 for continuous ablation and 700 ng g À1 for single pulse. Efurd et al 42 described a clean-room compatible method for the determination of ultratrace levels of Pu and U in bone samples. Bones were ashed in quartz crucibles and dissolved in ultra-pure acids.…”