Method for Separation of Tc-99 in Urine by Extraction Chromatography

M. C. Tucker, Lockheed Martin Energy Systems Inc, Analytical Chemistry Organization, 113C Union Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA

TEVA*Spec^TM resin has been widely used to separate technetium-99 from a variety of matrices. A new method has been developed using this resin to analyze urine samples for Tc-99 faster and more reliably than with anion exchange resin. Anion exchange methods require fairly large quantities of acid, extensive attention by the technician, and usually at least two days to complete. There are often interferences due to chemicals used in the separation, which can cause erratic recoveries and results, even in reagent blanks. This method cuts sample prep time to less than one workday. The acid concentration and volume per sample is reduced significantly, often by 50%. The Technetium is separated using the highly specific extraction chromatographic resin that eliminates interferences by many other beta emitters. The samples are prepped by digestion in a flask, with a reflux column, after the addition of nitric acid and peroxide. The samples are then loaded onto the resin and rinsed appropriately, the resin is extruded directly into the scintillation vial, equilibrated with Universol ^TM scintillation cocktail, and submitted for nuclear measurement. Chemical recovery can be obtained by analyzing spikes for each sample or by addition of a gamma emitting tracer (Tc-95m). This method eliminates time consuming and temperature sensitive evaporation typical of anion exchange methods. The scintillation cocktail used in the new method is environmentally compatible and does not react unfavorably with the sample load. Detection limits less then 150 pCi/L can easily be met with this method.

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