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Use of combined alpha-spectrometry and fission track analysis for the determination of240Pu/239Pu ratios in human tissue

  • Actinides in Biological and Environmental Systems
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Abstract

Plutonium and other actinides were determined in human autopsy tissues of occupationally exposed workers who were registrants of the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR). In this study, Pu was purified and isolated from Am, U and Th, after drying and wet-ashing of the tissues, and the addition of238Pu as a radiotracer. After electrodeposition onto vanadium planchets the239+240Pu activity was determined by alpha-spectrometry. A fission track method was developed to determine239Pu in the presence of238Pu and240Pu, using LexanTM polycarbonate detectors. Combining the two techniques allowed the determination of the240Pu/239Pu activity and atom ratios. Data from selected USTUR cases are presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, 99164-4630, Pullman, WA, USA

    S. F. Love & R. H. Filby

  2. United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries Nuclear Radiation Center, Washington State University, 99163-1300, Pullman, WA, USA

    S. E. Glover & D. B. Stuit

  3. United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries, Washington State University, 99352, Richland, WA, USA

    R. L. Kathren

Authors
  1. S. F. Love
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  2. R. H. Filby
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  3. S. E. Glover
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  4. R. L. Kathren
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  5. D. B. Stuit
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Love, S.F., Filby, R.H., Glover, S.E. et al. Use of combined alpha-spectrometry and fission track analysis for the determination of240Pu/239Pu ratios in human tissue. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 234, 189–193 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389770

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389770

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