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An automated neutron activation procedure for screening PCB content of oil

  • Activation Analysis: Separations and Industrial and Biological Applications
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Abstract

An analytical procedure for rapidly screening large numbers of oils for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) content has been developed and is now in routine use. Pontential levels of PCBs are inferred from chlorine concentrations as determined using the automated neutron activation analysis (NAA) facility at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Omega West Reactor. The technique is designed to screen up to 200 oil samples per eight hour working day, using a sample volume of approximately 1 milliliter. Because of the automated nature of the analysis, elements in addition to chlorine are determined, when present. These include fluorine, bromine, iodine and sulfur. U.S. National Bureau of Standards (NBS) and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Standard Reference Materials are routinely analyzed for quality assurance purposes. The results of our analyses of these materials for certified elements is discussed as well as results for other non-certified elements observed in the standard materials.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, 87545, Los Alamos, NM, (USA)

    S. R. Garcia, E. S. Glandney, K. H. Abel & M. M. Minor

Authors
  1. S. R. Garcia
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  2. E. S. Glandney
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  3. K. H. Abel
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  4. M. M. Minor
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Garcia, S.R., Glandney, E.S., Abel, K.H. et al. An automated neutron activation procedure for screening PCB content of oil. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 124, 33–46 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02035504

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02035504

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