Liquid scintillation counting of 55Fe applied to air-filter samples

A simple and rapid method has been improved for determination of low specific activity of 55Fe with a liquid scintillation counter. High counting efficiency was obtained for a sample containing up to 150 mg of iron using mixture of a colorless solution of phosphate iron complex and an emulsifier liquid scintillator. The detection limit was 0.31 Bq (8.4 pCi) per gram iron assuming the counting for 1000 minutes and 95% confidence level. This counting method was applied to determination of 55Fe in air-filter samples.