Determination of the Isotopic Composition of Uranium in Urine by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

TLDR

Depleted uranium exposure lowers the 235U fraction in urine from the natural 0.72 % to as low as 0.2 %. A simple ICP‑MS method was developed to identify depleted‑uranium exposure by measuring the isotopic composition of uranium in urine. Urine was dry‑ashed at 450 °C, wet‑ashed with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, dissolved in 1 M nitric acid, and the 235U/238U ion intensities were measured by ICP‑MS in under 5 min. The method distinguished depleted‑uranium exposure, with 235U percentages of 0.20–0.33 % in samples >150 ng L⁻¹ and natural‑uranium levels (0.7–1.0 %) in samples <50 ng L⁻¹, requiring a minimum 14 ng L⁻¹ uranium concentration for a valid ratio.

Abstract

A simple method based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was developed to identify exposure to depleted uranium by measuring the isotopic composition of uranium in urine. Exposure to depleted uranium results in a decreased percentage of 235U in urine samples causing measurements to vary between natural uranium's 0.72% and depleted uranium's 0.2%. Urine samples from a non-depleted uranium exposed group and a suspected depleted uranium exposed group were processed and analyzed by ICP-MS to determine whether depleted uranium was present in the urine. Sample preparation involved dry-ashing the urine at 450 degrees C followed by wet-ashing with a series of additions of concentrated nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide. The ash from the urine was dissolved in 1 M nitric acid, and the intensity of 235U and 238U ions were measured by ICP-MS. After the samples were ashed, the ICP-MS measurements required less than 5 min. The 235U percentage in individuals from the depleted uranium exposed group with urine uranium concentrations greater than 150 ng L(-1) was between 0.20%-0.33%, correctly identifying depleted uranium exposure. Samples from the non-depleted uranium exposed individuals had urine uranium concentration less than 50 ng L(-1) and 235U percentages consistent with natural uranium (0.7%-1.0%). A minimum concentration of 14 ng L(-1) uranium was required to obtain sufficient 235U to allow calculating a valid isotopic ratio. Therefore, the percent 235U in urine samples measured by this method can be used to identify low-level exposure to depleted uranium.