title: Use of fission track analysis technique for the determination of MicroBequerel level of 239Pu in urine samples from radiation workers handling MOX fuel.
abstract: Fission track analysis (FTA) technique for the determination of (239)Pu excreted through urine has been standardized using blank samples, tracer and (239)Pu spikes. Double stage anion exchange separation protocol has been applied and an average radiochemical recovery of (239)Pu of 18% was obtained. An average track registration efficiency of 11 tracks per μBq of (239)Pu, irradiated to 0.35×10(17) neutron fluence was established. Reagent blank urine samples from 11 controlled subjects were analyzed by FTA and an average of 149±14 tracks was obtained. Minimum detectable activity of 34μBqL(-1) of urine sample was obtained and will be useful for monitoring chronic exposure cases handling MOX fuel.
authors.affiliation: Health Physics Laboratory, Health Physics Division, BARC, Tarapur, India. yadav_jogendra@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Ranjeet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011005:Plutonium / Q000652:urine*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012015:Reference Standards
chemical_list: D011005:Plutonium