INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS USING Ge/Li DETECTORS

Abstract—Neutron irradiation of collected airborne contaminants followed by gamma ray spectrometry with semiconductor detectors such as those based on lithium drifted germanium (Ge (Li)) permits rapid, sensitive and accurate (and, if necessary, non-destructive) determina-tion of many metallic elements in a single small sample. Errors associated with analytical techniques based on dissolution and chemical treatment are avoided, and the method is readily automated. Concentrations of several elements in urban air and in welding fumes are reported