A multi-collector ICP-MS method for quantification of plutonium, uranium, and americium in hair and nails of occupationally or medically exposed individuals

Abstract

The ²³⁹Pu, ²³⁸U, and ²⁴¹Am concentrations and ²³⁹Pu/²⁴⁰Pu, ²³⁵U/²³⁸U, and ²³⁶U/²³⁸U atom ratios were measured in the hair and nail samples using a new method utilized TEVA, UTEVA, and DGA extraction chromatography and multi-collector ICP-MS. Samples were collected from individuals who donated their bodies to the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries. The concentration of ²³⁹Pu ranged from 0.22 to 15.8 ng/kg. The ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu isotopic ratios ranged from 0.026 to 0.127 which is consistent with weapons-grade plutonium. Concentration of uranium fell between 1.84 μg/kg and 29.5 μg/kg and ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios ranged from 4.8 × 10^-3 to 7.6 × 10^-3. Elevated ²³⁶U/²³⁸U atom ratios were measured in two cases and ranged from 5.0 × 10^-6 - 2.4 × 10^-5 indicating exposure to spent or reprocessed uranium material. The concentration of ²⁴¹Am was measured in four hair samples and ranged from 0.02 to 0.21 ng/kg.