Determination of lead,cadmium and thallium by neutron activation analysis in environmental samples

A radiochemical procedure for simultaneous determination of lead (²⁰³Pb), thallium (²⁰²TI) and cadmium (¹¹⁵Cd^115mIn) after fast neutron activation, based on ion-exchange separation from bromide medium and additional purification steps for Pb and Tl is described. Radioactive tracers²¹⁰Pb and¹⁰⁹Cd were used for determination of the chemical yields of Pb and Cd; for Tl it was determined gravimetrically. Two standard reference materials, BCR CRM No. 146 Sewage Sludge and NIST SRM 1633a Coal Fly Ash were analyzed and satisfactory agreement with certified values was obtained.