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Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level
Published on: June 6, 2018
Analysis of radioactive strontium-90 in food by Čerenkov liquid scintillation counting
Jingjing Pan1, Kathryn Emanuele1, Eileen Maher1
1Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center, Food and Drug Administration, 109 Holton Street, Winchester, MA 01890 USA.
Abstract:
A simple liquid scintillation counting method using DGA/TRU resins for removal of matrix/radiometric interferences, Čerenkov counting for measuring 90Y, and EDXRF for quantifying Y recovery was validated for analyzing 90Sr in various foods. Analysis of samples containing energetic β emitters required using TRU resin to avoid false detection and positive bias. Additional 34% increase in Y recovery was obtained by stirring the resin while eluting Y with H2C2O4. The method showed acceptable accuracy (±10%), precision (10%), and detectability (~0.09Bqkg-1).

