A RAPID METHOD FOR DETERMINING NANOGRAM QUANTITIES OF URANIUM IN URINE USING THE KINETIC PHOSPHORESCENCE ANALYZER

A procedure for determining total uranium in urine using a pulsed-laser Kinetic Phosphorescence Analyzer (KPA) is described. The chemical procedure is simple and rapid, and the operation of the KPA is straightforward. An inter-laboratory comparison (measuring total uranium by using fused pellet fluorometry, alpha spectrometry, and the KPA) demonstrates accuracy. The detection limit for this method, of 0.06 ng/mL, is readily achieved. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the measurements at the 1.0 ng/mL level is 5%. Interference studies, which include selected elements found in urine, are discussed. Potential interferences in other matrices such as soil, milk, and water are also examined.