Development of a rapid technique for sequential separation of plutonium/americium in nasal swab using solvent extraction and liquid scintillation spectrometry

A rapid radiochemical method has been developed for estimation of plutonium and americium in nasal swab using extractive liquid scintillation spectrometry. The method involves solvent extraction of plutonium and americium from pre-treated nasal swab using 0.2 M Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoricacid prepared in toluene scintillator & back extraction of americium in aqueous phase using 0.35 M HNO3. Activity assessment was carried out using liquid scintillation spectrometry. Overall recovery obtained was 96% for plutonium and 76% for americium with a sample turnaround time of 3 h.