Separation of [sup.3]H, [sup.14]C, [sup.32]P, [sup.35]S, [sup.125]I, and [sup.131]I in radioisotope waste

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2010-06, Vol.284 (3), p.527
• Main Authors: Lee, Heung N, Yang, S.D, Kim, W.H, Jee, K.Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0236-5731
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-010-0515-7

Measurement of [sup.3]H, [sup.14]C, [sup.32]P, [sup.35]S, [sup.125]I, and [sup.131]I in radioisotope (RI) waste materials such as the vials, pipette tips, tubes, syringes, and paper generated from the industrial, medical, educational, and research organizations were conducted by a wet oxidation method. Counts were obtained by a liquid scintillation counter for [sup.3]H, [sup.14]C, and [sup.32]P; a gas proportional counter for [sup.35]S; a low energy photon spectroscopy for [sup.125]I; and an HPGe detector for [sup.131]I. After the treatment of approximately 20 g of the sample, the counting value was determined to obtain a minimum detectable activity (MDA) of approximately 1 x [10.sup.-3] ~ 5 x [10.sup.-2] Bq/g. The specific activities of shor-half-life RIs ([sup.32]P, [sup.35]S, [sup.125]I, and [sup.131]I) were not detectable and/or resulted in a low value (