Measurement of Uranium Isotope Ratios in Keratinous Materials: A Noninvasive Bioassay for Special Nuclear Material

Anal Chem. 2016 Sep 6;88(17):8765-71. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02144. Epub 2016 Aug 16.

Abstract

Hair, toenail, and fingernail are noninvasive, integrative biological monitors routinely used to assess mineral intake.1-4 In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of distinguishing between exposure to natural, depleted, and enriched U by measuring the (235)U/(238)U, (234)U/(238)U, and (236)U/(238)U ratios in the hair, fingernails, and toenails of occupationally exposed workers and control volunteers. The exposure history of cases and controls to non-natural U was assessed through voluntary self-reporting using a simple questionnaire. The measured U isotope ratios and U concentration in the hair, toenail, and fingernail of cases were compared to a nonexposed control group. No difference was observed in the uranium concentration between the two groups. Significant differences between the cases and the control group were observed in the (235)U/(238)U and (236)U/(238)U isotope ratios but not the (234)U/(238)U. This is the first time that hair, fingernail, and toenail have been demonstrated to be sensitive to occupational exposure to enriched and depleted U, a result with significant implications for proliferation compliance monitoring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay*
  • Hair / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Keratins / chemistry*
  • Nails / chemistry*
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Uranium / analysis*

Substances

  • Uranium
  • Keratins