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This work describes the development and optimization of the radiochemical separation of 147Pm and 151Sm. The two main challenges addressed were: the radiochemical separation of the lanthanides by using LN Resin and DGA,N Resin, and the quantification of the chemical recovery of 147Pm with a non-isotopic analogue (i.e. neodymium). The applicability of radiochemical separation procedures was investigated by using spiked samples. The optimized radiochemical separation procedure by using LN Resin was applied to a reactor cooling water primary coolant sample with an automated system. Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) was used to determine the chemical recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the optimization of 36Cl determination in solid wastes from nuclear decommissioning, a residual 36Cl signal was observed in procedural blanks measured after processing active samples. To uncover the possible causes, we investigated the interaction of chlorine with the components of a Pyrolyser-6 Trio™, as well as the chemicals used during the procedure. Different treatments for identifying the source of chlorine carryover were thoroughly investigated, demonstrating that the 36Cl memory effect arises from the interaction with pyrolyser components and that it occurs almost every time when the analysis procedure is performed. Therefore, results obtained using this analysis procedure need to be corrected for this memory effect by measuring procedural blank samples before and after measuring 36Cl-containing samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a study for the selection of an NPE (nonylphenol ethoxylates)—free cocktail is discussed in order to be used for our routine liquid scintillation counting measurements. The NPE are added in the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals)—list of amendments to Annex XIV, as chemicals which can't be used anymore (Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/999). Nine NPE-free cocktails were bought from different producers and investigated with respect to the homogeneity, background level and influence on counting efficiency for different radionuclides. Several sample matrices were considered for direct measurement of 3H and 14C. Based on this study we could select the best cocktail which fulfills our requirements for routine analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results from proficiency tests gathered over the past two decades by the laboratory for low level radioactivity measurements for liquid scintillation counting of H (184 results) and C (74 results) are used to verify the validated measurement methods used by the laboratory, in particular the estimated uncertainty budget of the method and its reproducibility and stability. A linear regression approach is used for the analysis of the results, described in the literature as the long term uncertainty in measurement method. The present study clearly indicates the advantages of using proficiency test results in identifying possible constant or proportional bias effects as well as the possibility to compare the laboratory performance with the performance of peer laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the use of 3M Empore™ Radium RAD disk for the rapid and direct determination of Ra and Ra concentration in drinking water samples by means of liquid scintillation spectrometry is described. Three cocktails and several treatments were tested in order to improve the knowledge on the energy transfer between the alpha or beta-particle emissions of the isotopes fixed in the RAD disk and the cocktail. The sources of variability of this method were compared with the elution method, in which radium is stripped from de RAD disk and measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry using a Quantulus 1220™. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study on trace elements in beauty products and cosmetics sold on the Asian market has shown the presence of high levels of U, Th and rare earth elements in so called “Hormesis cosmetics.” For the purpose of comparison, some more information about trace elements in European cosmetics would be useful. In this paper the results obtained using k0-standardised Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ( k0-INAA) for more than 20 trace elements in 20 different beauty products collected from the European market are presented. We found traces of Ba, As and Sb which is in breach with European legislation. For some of the other elements like Cr and Co further speciation is needed in order to evaluate their presence in beauty products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent intercomparisons and certification exercises have shown that the determination of tin in e.g. food samples and plastics is not straightforward. k0-Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis ( k0-INAA) offers some intrinsic quality control opportunities for the determination of the tin content in samples since several monitoring radioisotopes are formed. In this work we will discuss the validation of the determination of tin by k0-INAA using different reference materials. The results show that only few of these radioisotopes are reliable in terms of accuracy and that from a survey of the tin content in a range of canned foods detection limits as low as 2 mg/kg can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]