ASTM_C_1473_-_11.pdf

Designation:C147311Standard Test Method forRadiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Urineby Alpha Spectrometry1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1473;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination ofuranium in urine at levels of detection dependent on samplesize,count time,detector background,and tracer yield.It isdesigned as a screening tool for detection of possible exposureof occupational workers.1.2 This test method is designed for 50 mL of urine.Thistest method does not address the sampling protocol or samplepreservation methods associated with its use.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear MaterialsC1000 Test Method for Radiochemical Determination ofUranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha SpectrometryC1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrom-etry Using Neodymium FluorideC1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides forAlpha SpectrometryD1193 Specification for Reagent WaterD3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of WaterD3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity3.Summary of Test Method3.1 A urine sample with232U tracer solution added iswet-ashed with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide to destroyorganic material.The uranium-bearing solution is converted toa hydrochloric acid medium.Uranium is absorbed on an anionexchange column from a 9 M hydrochloric acid solution andeluted with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid solution.The separateduranium is prepared for alpha spectrometric measurementeither by electrodeposition onto a metal disk or coprecipitationwith neodymium fluoride and filtration onto a membrane filter.4.Significance and Use4.1 This test method is used to detect possible exposures touranium isotopes from occupational operations.5.Interferences5.1 The presence of232U in the urine sample will be maskedby the tracer addition.The alpha energies of233U and234Ucannot be fully resolved by alpha spectrometric measurement.Atable of uranium isotope alpha energies is given in AppendixX1.If neptunium is present in the sample in the plus fouroxidation state,it will coelute with the uranium.6.Apparatus6.1 Alpha Spectrometry SystemRefer to Test MethodC1000,and Practices C1163,D3084,and D3648 for guidance.6.2 Electrodeposition ApparatusRefer to Practice C1284for guidance.6.3 Neodymium Fluoride PrecipitationRefer to PracticeC1163 for guidance.6.4 Borosilicate Beakers or Flasks,250 mL.6.5 Borosilicate Beakers,150 and 250 mL.6.6 Borosilicate Graduated Glass Cylinders,5,25,100,and1000 mL.6.7 Ion Exchange Columns,disposable polypropylene,withpolyethylene frit,5-mL capacity.6.8 Ion Exchange Column Reservoir,funnel,polypropylene,100-mL capacity.NOTE1See Fig.1 for a typical ion exchange column-reservoir setup.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on NuclearFuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods ofTest.Current edition approved Feb.15,2011.Published February 2011.Originallyapproved in 2000.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C1473 05.DOI:10.1520/C1473-11.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 7.Reagents7.1 Purity of ReagentsReagent grade chemicals shall beused in all tests.Unless otherwise indicated,it is intended thatthe reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee onAnalytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,wheresuch specifications are available.3Other grades may be used,provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficientlyhigh purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy ofthe determination.7.2 Purity of WaterUnless otherwise indicated,referencesto water shall be understood to mean reagent water as definedby Type III of Specification D1193.7.3 Reagent purity shall be such that the measured radioac-tivity of blank samples is minimized.7.4 Anion Exchange ResinAnalytical grade,Type 1,8%cross linked,100-200 mesh,chloride form.7.5 Hydrochloric Acid(9 M)Mix 750 mL of concentratedHCl with water and dilute to 1 L.7.6