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Evaluation of measurements of 238Pu, 239Pu and 240Pu in urine at the microbecquerel level using thermal ionization mass spectrometry and alpha-spectrometry at Los Alamos National Laboratory: Results of a two year comparison test (LA-UR-06-8055)

  • Mass Spectrometric Methods for the Determination of Ultra Trace Actinides
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Abstract

The Intercomparison Studies Program (ISP) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Oak Ridge, TN, USA) provides natural-matrix urine quality-assurance/quality-control (QA/QC) samples to radiobioassay analysis laboratories. In 2003, a single laboratory (Los Alamos National Laboratory LANL, Los Alamos NM USA) requested a change in the test-samples provided previously by the ISP. The change was requested to evaluate measurement performance for analyses conducted using thermal-ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). Radionuclides included 239Pu at two activity levels (75–150 μBq·sample−1 and 1200–1600 μBq·sample−1) and 238Pu (3700–7400 μBq·sample−1). In addition, 240Pu was added to the samples so that the 239+240Pu specific activity was 3700–7400 μBq·sample−1. In this paper, the results of testing during the period May, 2003 through September, 2005 are presented and discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Quality Systems and Services Division, Intercomparison Studies Program, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    N. E. Bores, J. M. Rankin, A. J. Denton & G. F. Payne

  2. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    M. K. Schultz

  3. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    R. E. Steiner, S. P. LaMont & S. B. Ortiz

Authors
  1. N. E. Bores
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  2. M. K. Schultz
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  3. J. M. Rankin
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  4. A. J. Denton
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  5. G. F. Payne
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  6. R. E. Steiner
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  7. S. P. LaMont
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  8. S. B. Ortiz
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Correspondence to N. E. Bores.

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Bores, N.E., Schultz, M.K., Rankin, J.M. et al. Evaluation of measurements of 238Pu, 239Pu and 240Pu in urine at the microbecquerel level using thermal ionization mass spectrometry and alpha-spectrometry at Los Alamos National Laboratory: Results of a two year comparison test (LA-UR-06-8055). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 276, 513–518 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-008-0535-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-008-0535-8

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