Determination of low-energy beta-emitter radionuclides deposited on surfaces by attapulgite treatment.
A method for the determination of surface contamination of various materials by 3H and 99Tc is reported. Both 3H and 99Tcm are widely used in chemical and clinical applications. The isotopes 99Tc, the decay product of 99Tcm, and 3H are soft beta-emitter radionuclides and the use of unsealed sources can frequently produce contamination and excessive internal dosing for workers. The removal of radionuclides from surfaces was effected with attapulgite, a clay with a high absorption capacity for many organic and inorganic substances. The determination was carried out by extracting the absorbed radionuclide from the clay and then measuring it in a beta-scintillation counter. The determination limits of the method, 20 Bq cm-2 for 3H and 100 Bq cm-2 for 99Tc, are below the "derived working limits" for these radionuclides.
CRESAM, I-56010 S. Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
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Belfiore
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Panciatici
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Lo Moro
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Raspi
D008274:Magnesium; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D012825:Silicon; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D013667:Technetium / Q000032:analysis; D014316:Tritium / Q000032:analysis
D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D011868:Radioisotopes; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D014316:Tritium; D013667:Technetium; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D008274:Magnesium; C026325:attapulgite; D012825:Silicon