Separation and determination of radioactive caesium in milk

A method is given for the separation and determination of radiocaesium in fluid milk. Caesium is separated from organic material and interfering ions by passage of the milk sample through a cation-exchanger in the lithium form. It is eluted from this column with 6M hydrochloric acid. Two methods are given for the recovery of radiocaesium from the eluate. It may be precipitated with silico-tungstic acid and then converted into caesium perchlorate for counting or weighing. Alternatively, the eluate is passed through a small column of ammonium phosphomolybdate, which quantitatively sorbs the radiocaesium, the activity of which is determined by putting the column in a well-type scintillation counter and measuring the activity. Approximately 90% of the radiocaesium is recovered.