Rapid analytical method of Sr in urine sample: Rapid separation of Sr by phosphate co-precipitation and extraction chromatography, followed by determination by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS).

A rapid analytical method for determining Sr in urine samples (1-2 L) was developed to assess the internal exposure of workers in a radiological emergency. Strontium in a urine sample was rapidly separated by phosphate co-precipitation, followed by extraction chromatography, and the Sr activity was determined by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Measurement in the MS/MS mode with an O reaction gas flow rate 1 mL min showed no tailing of Sr at m/z = 90 up to 50 mg L Sr. The interferences of Ge, Se and Zr at m/z = 90 were successfully removed by phosphate co-precipitation, followed by extraction chromatography with a tandem column of Pre-filter, TRU and Sr resin. This analytical method was validated by the results of the analyses of synthetic urine samples (1.2-1.6 L) containing a known amount of Sr along with 1 mg of each of Ge, Se, Sr and Zr. The turnaround time for Sr purification from the urine sample and the Sr measurement by ICP-MS/MS was about 10 h. The detection limit of Sr was approximately 1 Bq per urine sample, which was lower than 15 Bq per urine after a day of intake giving 5 mSv of unplanned exposure of worker limited by Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan.