Non-destructive multi-element photonactivation analysis of environmental materials

A non-destructive method of photon-activation analysis with 30-MeV bremsstrahlung followed by high-resolution gamma-spectrometry has been developed for multi-element determination in ambient air and in air-pollution emissions. The sample materials were the NBS standard reference material. Fly Ash. and atmospheric particulates collected on a Millipore filter. Simultaneous irradiation of the sample with synthetic multi-element standards containing 33 elements has shown that the technique can determine up to 21 elements in a single sample. The method is simple and gives reproducible results.