Determination of mercury in head hair of Brazilian populational groups by neutron activation analysis

In the present work, determination of mercury in the head hair of populational groups living near a heavily industrialized region in São Paulo and of Indians living in the Xingu park in the Amazonic region, was carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis. A control group of people with no suspicion of contamination by mercury was also studied. The range of mercury concentrations found up to now were: for the control group from 0.26 to 02.5 ppm; for the Indians from 6.9 to 34 ppm, and for the industrialized region inhabitants: from 0.30 to 3.0 ppm.     

Neutron activation analysis of organohalogens in Chinese human hair

To effectively extract organohalogens from human hair, two factors, the extracting time and hair length on the extraction efficiency of organohalogens were studied by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and gas chromatograph-electron capture detector (GC-ECD), respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of extractable organohalogens (EOX) and extractable persistent organohalogens (EPOX) in hair samples from angioma and control babies were also measured by the established method. The results indicated that the optimal Soxhlet-extraction time for EOX and EPOX in hair was from 8 to 11 hours, and the extraction efficiencies for organochlorine pesticides in hair were in the order of powder >2 mm>5 mm. Also, the mean levels of EOC1 and EPOC1 in hair of the angioma babies were significantly higher than those in the control babies (P _EOC1<0.01; P _EPOC1<0.05), which implied the possible relationship between the environmental pollution and angioma.     

Neutron activation analysis of hair failure of a mission

The presence and the concentration of trace elements in hair are subject to variations according to a number of factors. The primary investigations consist in a statistical interpretation of (1) the distribution of the oligo-elements in a homogeneous hair sample, (2) the distribution over one particular head, (3) the evolution in samples taken at successive intervals, (4) the distribution over a population. Our study was mainly concerned in the influence of the time factor, and revealed an unpredictable behaviour of the elements under investigation (As, Sb, Au, Mn, Hg, Cu). There was only one exception: Zn. This unpredictable behaviour of most of the oligo-elements is due to their being influenced by such external conditions as environment, washing, hair dyes, diet and drug intake. The identification of hair samples on the basis of concentrations so inconstant and easily influenced, is a most impromising endeavour. Furthermore the irregularity in distribution of the oligo-elements over the head of one and the same person is not of a nature to make things easier. The existence of these factors not only wellnigh excludes the possibility of an identification, but they furthermore make it difficult to confirm unequivocally that a hair specimen belongs to a given person, to the exclusion of any other.     

Neutron activation analysis of human hair for environmental purposes

The possibility of using human hair as a monitor for the pollution of the environment with metals is discussed. Analyzed are 15 cases by means of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Elements Se, Cu, Ca, Na, Mn and S in Bulgarian hair are compared with those from other countries. Analyzed cases are divided into two groups: metal burdened and nonburdened. A difference in Na, Ca and Mn content in hair of both groups is observed. A value of Mn is outlined which indicates with a high probability the metal burden of a person.     

A new neutron activation technique for simultaneous determination of inorganic and total mercury contents in human hair

A simple method for simultaneous determination of inorganic and total mercury contents in human hair by neutron activation analysis (NAA) has been developed. The method is based on the selective extraction of methylmercury from hair by hydrochloric acid. Thus, the residual phase containing inorganic mercury can be determined by NAA. Further, the methylmercury contents in hair samples are easily calculated by subtracting the inorganic mercury contribution from the total Hg simultaneously given by INAA. Several reference materials of human hair, including IAEA hair RM 085 and 086, Chinese hair RMs GBW 09101 and 07601, were analyzed by this method. Our results show that the method is reliable.     

Neutron activation analysis of deep sea sediments from the regions near Japan

Eighteen trace elements, including seven rare earth elements (REEs), and major and minor elements in the sediment samples from the Japan Sea and the northwestern Pacific near Japan were determined with instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Most REE patterns (chondrite-nomalized) of the sediments were nearly identical to the patterns of terrigenous materials without cerium anomaly whereas the La/Yb ratio varied with the site locations. The variation of the La/Yb ratio of the sediments may indicate the regional variation of the mixing proportion of the terrigenous materials from the continent to the materials from the volcanic island arcs including the Japanese islands. The Th/Sc ratio of the sediments tended to increase with distance from the island-arc volcanism. Regional variation of the Th/Sc ratio may indicate variation of amount of the continental terrigenous materials supplied to the sediments.     

Neutron activation analysis of neonate and maternal hair sampled in areas with different levels of pollution

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been performed on human head hair of newborns and mothers sampled in two areas with a different level of environmental exposure. The group of neonates from the exposed area (polluted by thermal power plants burning brown coal and by chemical industry) has exhibited higher levels of several trace elements in hair, e.g. Se, Zn, Hg and Sb in comparison with the control group. Moreover, the mean concentrations of Se, Hg, Zn and Br in neonate hair have been found to be higher than in mothers hair. Although the study revealed statistically significant differences in the composition of neonate hair sampled in areas with different levels of environmental exposure, the differences are relatively small. Only a thorough long-term study both with environmental and medical observations can prove a direct connection of the elevated levels of some trace elements in neonate hair with the higher frequency of mental diseases of children living in the exposed area.     

Neutron activation analysis for ultra low contents of uranium and thorium in aluminium and silica

Highly sensitive neutron activation analysis of uranium and thorium in high quality silica and aluminium has been investigated using the Japan Materials Testing Reactor (JMTR), having a thermal neutron flux higher than 10¹⁴ n/cm²/s. In order to determine ultra-low contents of uranium and thorium,²³⁹Np and²³³Pa as activation products were separated by using anion exchange and LaF₃ coprecipitation methods. As a result, a number of interfering radioactive isotopes containing double neutron capture product such as¹⁸³Ta were removed completely from the isolated²³⁹Np and²³³Pa fraction and the detection limits for uranium and thorium were found to be 2·10^–12 g and 4·10^–13 g, respectively.     

Neutron activation analysis of indium

The extraction and extraction-chromatographic behavior of many elements in the tributylphosphate — HBr solution system has been studied. The investigation performed has made it possible to develop a simple technique for neutron activation determination of 22 impurity elements in high purity indium samples with detection limits from 0.1 ppm for Fe and Zr to 0.01 ppb for Na, Sc, Cu, As, La and W.     

Neutron activation analysis of radiopharmaceuticals

In order to understand the chemical form of soluble technetium in paddy soil and its availability to a rice plant, soil incubation and uptake experiments have been carried out using^95mTc as a tracer. The chemical form of the soluble Tc was observed by gel chromatography and found not to be pertechnetate, but rather to be associated with soluble organic matter. An uptake experiment with rice seedlings using nutrient solution showed that this Tc-organic matter complex was less available than pertechnetate.     

Neutron activation analysis of scandium

A neutron activation method is proposed for the determination of trace quantities of scandium, down to submicrogram level, in rocks, ores and meteorites. The sample and standard are irradiated intermittently for a total of 30 h, at a neutron flux of 5·10¹¹ n/cm²/sec; the radiochemical separation consists essentially of a one-step anion exchange. The induced γ-activity of ⁴⁰Sc, 85 days, isolated from the sample is measured and compared with that of a standard. The chemical yield averages 85% and there is a considerable saving of time in the radiochemical work. Results are quoted for the scandium contents of 2 standard rocks, cassiterite and several stony meteorites. Details of conflicting nuclear reactions are also given.     

Neutron activation analysis of soils

Résumé On décrit l'analyse de sols par activation neutronique au moyen de détecteur Ge(Li) à haute résolution pour la recherche de 31 éléments. Les éléments déterminés comprennent des métaux alcalins, des terres rares et des éléments de transition, la plupart d'entre eux sont utilisés, comme indices de différenciation géochimique et d'autres sont utilisés en tant que facteur de nutrition dans la physiologie des plantes. Quelques éléments comprenant Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Th, Zr, Hf, Ta, Mn, Co, Fe, Sc, Cr, Sb, Ca, V, Al, Ti, Br et U ont été déterminés par spectrométrie gamma non-destructive, et d'autres Mo, W, Sr, Cu, Zn et Ga après une simple séparation radio chimique basée sur un échange d'ions et une extraction par solvant. On a employé l'activation dans les neutrons épithermique pour la recherche de l'U, utilisant des neutrons de réacteur. Les risques d'interférence dans les réactions et dans les spectres gamma, l'autoabsorption et les autres causes possibles d'erreur sont analysées et évaluées quand c'est possible. Les résultats sont donnés en temps que moyenne de plusieurs dosages. Dans tous les cas, on est parvenu à une grande précision.      

Determination of mercury and methylmercury in hair samples by neutron activation

Mercury and methylmercury in hair samples were determined by neutron activation analysis. Samples were digested in 10M NaOH, and methylmercury was then isolated by solvent extraction with toluene. The isolated methylmercury was then absorbed onto cysteine paper. The dried cysteine paper was activated for six hours in a TRIGA reactor and methylmercury was analysed via 279.2 keV of²⁰³Hg. Methylmercury and total mercury in some standard reference materials were also analysed, and the results were in good agreement with those reported in the literature. Results for hair samples showed that the methylmercury concentration ranged 14–40% of the total mercury. Gas chromatogram showed that methylmercury was only present in the samples analysed. In samples where methylmercury and other organic mercury are presented, the NAA method is good for the determination of the total organic mercury only.     

Neutron activation analysis of trace elements at sediment-water interface in the Biwa Lake, Japan

Concentrations of eighteen trace elements at the sediment-water interface in Biwa Lake were determined by neutron activation analysis. Release of iron, manganese and arsenic from the sediment to the pore water was observed under anoxic conditions. The concentrations of Sb in the pore water as well as Na were nearly constant between the surface and the depth of 40 cm. The behavior of Sb differed from that of As at the sediment-water interface, since the partition coefficient of Sb differed from that of As.     

Neutron activation analysis of rhenium in rocks

A method for neutron activation determination of rhenium in rocks has been developed. Fusion with potassium hydroxide containing 15% water in a Teflon beaker was used in decomposition of irradiated samples. The purification procedure is given. Rhenium in the rocks is in the range of 1-10 ng/g.     

Neutron activation analysis of iodine in soil

A simple pre-irradiation procedure for the separation of iodine from soil has been developed. A soil sample was heated in a quartz tube for 15 min at about 900 °C. The evaporated iodine was collected in activated charcoal, which was produced from phenol resin with low impurities. The charcoal, with sorbed iodine, was irradiated by neutrons and the¹²⁸I produced was measured. A successful elimination of the background radioactivity due to the matrix elements was possible with this separation procedure. The detection limit by this method for soil samples was about 0.1 mg/kg (dry). The method has been applied to analyze selected soil samples.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis for quality assurance of a hair reference material for mercury speciation

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been employed in the investigation of mass balance for mercury species analysis in the analytical process. A new human hair reference material (IAEA-085) was analyzed for methylmercury using a solid/liquid extraction procedure, with samples of extracts, residues, and untreated samples being analyzed by INAA. The certified reference material NIES CRM No. 13, human hair, was analyzed in parallel. From the results obtained through the mass balance studies, it was found that the extraction procedure was quantitatively complete, and that there was no difference between the mass balance of Hg and the total Hg in the untreated materials.     

Neutron activation analysis of semiconductor silicon

The determination of impurities in semiconductor silicon by nondestructive and destructive NAA is described. To improve the detection limit, a multiple beta—single gamma detector assembly is used. It is shown that²⁴Na is also produced from silicon by a (n, αp) reaction with reactor neutrons. The cross-section with fission neutrons is 1.8·10⁻⁹ barn.     

Neutron activation analysis of lithium niobate

A radiochemical neutron activation analysis procedure for the determination of Ta, W, Ir, Pt, Au, Cu, Cr, Co and Zn in lithium niobate has been developed. The method involves a one-step removal of radioactive nuclides of Nb, Ta and W representing the dominating radioactivity of the irradiated sample. After irradiation, the sample is fused with inactive carriers and Na₂O₂ in a nickel crucible. The fused cake is dissolved in HCl–H₂O₂ and Nb, Ta and W are homogeneously precipitated. The impurities are separated by combinations of precipitation and ion-exchange separations for precise -ray measurements with an overall chemical yield of 70% to 90%. The results are discussed.