Determination of Americium and Plutonium in Autopsy Tissue: Methods and Problems

摘要

The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average exp 242 Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average exp 242 Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations. (ERA citation 05:006240)