Intercomparison of INAA and ICP-MS results for thorium determination in Pakistani diet

A pilot study on ingestion and organ content of trace elements of importance in radiological protection was to be carried out in Pakistan. Baseline analytical data on daily dietary intake of thorium was to be measured using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. To determine the accuracy and reliability of our technique, some samples were measured in Pakistan using INAA and in Japan using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. For intercomparison of results overall mean Z-scores were calculated. The results showed validity of our technique. Mean value of Th-232 concentration in Pakistani diet samples using INAA technique is 0.0062 +/- 0.0028 mug/g and with ICP-MS technique is 0.0069 +/- 0.0032 mug/g. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.