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ROUTINE METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TRACE AMOUNTS OF 226Ra IN URINE BY ALPHA SPECTROMETRY.
Nicolas Guérin1, Danielle McMullin1, Xenia Fabian1
1Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), 286 Plant Road, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Chalk River, ON, Canada.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|July 20, 2019
Summary
A new method efficiently measures toxic 226Ra (radium-226) in urine using manganese oxide particles and alpha spectrometry. This validated routine assay provides accurate results for radiological monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- 226Ra (radium-226) is a highly radiotoxic naturally occurring radionuclide.
- Accurate measurement of 226Ra in biological samples is crucial for health risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a routine method for quantifying trace levels of 226Ra in human urine.
- To establish a reliable analytical procedure for internal dose assessment.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples (2 L) were pre-concentrated using manganese oxide (MnO2) particles.
- Interfering radionuclides were removed using stacked DGA and AGMP1 resin columns.
- Barium sulfate (BaSO4) micro-precipitation followed by alpha spectrometry was employed for measurement.
Main Results:
- The method achieved a recovery rate of 60 ± 10% with excellent alpha resolution.
- The minimum detectable activity (MDA) was determined to be 0.2 ± 0.1 mBq/L.
- The entire analytical procedure was validated and completed within 5 hours.
Conclusions:
- The developed method is suitable for routine monitoring of 226Ra in urine.
- This assay provides a reliable tool for assessing internal exposure to radium.
- The method's efficiency and accuracy support its application in radiological protection programs.
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