Rapid method to determine Polonium-210 in urban matrices

An isotope generator of Po-210 based on SR resin

The work describes an isotope generator of polonium-210 based on an extraction chromatographic resin SR Resin. It was shown that a high selectivity of 4,4'(5')-di-t-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6, an active component of SR Resin, for lead allows a clear separation of Pb-210 from impurities, easy elution of Po-210 with 5-7 mL of 0.05 M nitric acid solution as well as good retention of Pb-210 in the generator. The content of alpha emitting impurities in the Po-210 eluate did not exceed 0.65%. The experience of 3-years exploitation of the generator is described. It was shown that the SR Resin was stable against irradiation and complete drying, and Pb-210 loss from the SR Resin column for 3 years (seven elutions) was near to loss due to its radioactive decay within the error limits (less than 7%).

Detection of Polonium-210 in Environmental, Biological and Food Samples: A Review

Ingestion of polonium-210 from environmental media and food can cause serious health hazards (e.g., gastrointestinal symptoms, tumours, etc.) and has been a public health concern worldwide since the 2006 poisoning of Agent Litvinenko 210Po in Russia. With the development of uranium mining and applications of nuclear technology in recent decades, the radioactive hazards posed by 210Po to living organisms and the environment have become increasingly prominent. In order to strengthen the monitoring of environmental 210Po and protect both the environment and human health, a series of explorations on the methods of 210Po determination have been ongoing by researchers across the globe. However, previous reviews have focused on individual sample types and have not provided a comprehensive account of environmental, food, and biological samples that are closely related to human health. In this work, the sources, health hazards, chemical purification, and detection methods of trace 210Po in different sample types are systematically reviewed. In particular, the advantages and disadvantages of various pretreatment methods are compared, and relevant domestic and international standards are integrated, which puts forward a new direction for the subsequent establishment of rapid, simple, and efficient measurement methods.

Bioaccumulation and retention of Po-210 and Pb-210 in two species of mosses from the zone of influence of the former radium-extracting plants

The presented study was aimed at assessing the ability to accumulate and retain ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in two species of the mosses Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow and Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. Mosses were collected in the zone of influence of the former radium-extracting plants (Komi Republic, Russia). ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations in S. girgensohnii varied from 131 ± 15.4 to 221 ± 18.3 Bq kg^-1, and from 164 ± 18.6 to 309 ± 26.1 Bq kg^-1 respectively. In P. schreberi corresponding activity concentrations ranged from 107 ± 18.8 to 328 ± 29.2 Bq kg^-1 and from 117 ± 13.2 to 399 ± 31.1 Bq kg^-1. Activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in autumn were higher than in summer. In the young parts of the mosses, they were lower than in the old parts. To assess the ability to retain accumulated radionuclides, watersoluble (distilled H₂O), exchangeable (1 M CH₃COONH₄), and acidsoluble (0.1 M H₂SO₄) fractions of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were isolated from the studied mosses by the method sequential extraction. It was revealed that these fractions in total contained up to 26% of ²¹⁰Po and 39% of ²¹⁰Pb. The results showed that the studied moss species are a good biogeochemical barrier and long-term storage for ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po.

Novel rapid oxidizing fusion method to determine Polonium-210 in air filters

A rapid method for the determination of polonium-210 in air filters has been developed for use following a radiological event and for routine environmental monitoring. Air filter samples, including cellulose and glass fiber, are fused with a sodium or potassium nitrate/sodium hydroxide flux material. The alkaline matrix minimizes polonium volatility during sample digestion steps, while efficiently dissolving the air filter and inorganic matter implanted on the filter. The addition of nitrate to the flux destroys organic material which can decrease Polonium recovery during precipitation, extraction and source preparation steps. Polonium is concentrated and separated from the sample matrix using an iron hydroxide precipitation and extraction chromatography with DGA Resin. Polonium-210 is subsequently measured by alpha spectrometry following rapid microprecipitation with bismuth phosphate. The new method employs extraction chromatographic purification to remove alpha emitting interferences and sample matrix constituents which can interfere with ²¹⁰Po measurements using alpha spectrometry. The novel blend of sodium hydroxide and alkali metal nitrate digests the air filters quickly and effectively.