Determination of129I in ambient air by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)

The detection of¹²⁹I by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) in environmental samples can be used to determine anthropogenic release of this long-lived radionuclide, which is a definitive indicator of certain nuclear activities. By using selective precipitation techniques with on-line ICP/MS detection, low levels of¹²⁹I can be detected. The major interference for the ICP/MS detection of¹²⁹I is due the presence of natural¹²⁹Xe found in water samples at a concentration of about 1 ng/ml. This work will demonstrate a instrument detection of less than 50 fg¹²⁹I from environmental air samples and shows promise for a rugged ICP/MS technique to monitor¹²⁹I levels in ambient air for nonproliferation monitoring purposes.