Using EC-ICP-MS to Determine Actinides in Urine: An Interview with Robert L. Jones
In Part 1 of our interview with Jones, he discussed the mission of the CDC and how his work in their ICP-MS laboratory advanced their efforts to research and develop ways to assess and monitor population exposure to toxic or radioactive elements, which involved using analytical methods, such as inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), to analyze trace and toxic metals.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Jones, he answers the following:
- In a previously published study, you and your team explored determining actinides in urine (1). What specific challenges or limitations were commonly encountered in traditional radiochemistry analytical methods for determining actinide concentrations in urine? How does the new method your team introduced in this study address these obstacles?
- Could you explain the significance of achieving the nanograms per liter level detection of actinides in urine using this rapid analysis method (< 23 minutes) and its implications for occupational exposure monitoring and radiological emergency response?
Reference
(1) Liu, Y.; Xiao, G.; Jones, R. L. High-Throughput Determination of Ultratrace Actinides in Urine by In-Line Extraction Chromatography Combined with Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (EC-ICP-MS). Anal. Chem. 2022, 94 (51), 18042–18049. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04458
Examining the Cheese Ripening Process with Mid-Infrared and Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy
September 3rd 2024A joint French-Canadian study examined the ripening process of commercially popular Comté and cheddar cheeses, which are widely consumed in those countries, utilizing mid-infrared (mid-IR) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) in their analysis.
Measuring Muscle Oxidation in Athletes with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
September 2nd 2024A recent article authored by scientists from the Institute of Sport and Preventive Medicine, part of the University of Saarland (Saarbrücken, Germany), discusses their investigation of the absolute and relative test-retest reliability of the Moxy Monitor, as well as their investigations into side differences of oxygen saturation at the vastus lateralis muscle of both legs in male cyclists.
