Strontium in Milk. I. Removal by Means of Reverse-Flow Ion Exchange Columns

Abstract

Milk from two Jersey cows dosed orally with strontium ~ ~nd calcium ~ was mechanically separated into skimnfilk and cream. These radioactive isotopes were removed from the skimmilk by use of an upward-flow ion exchange resin column. Dowex 50W-X12, Dowex 50W-X4, and Duolite C-20 were used. The calcium form of ecah resin was more effective in removal of the isotopes than was the sodium form. Between 70 and 80% of the Sr ~ and Ca ~ in the skimmilk was removed from the second 100 ml. passed through the column ; whereas, in the tenth 100 ml., 50% of each isotope was renmved, using either of the Dowex resins. The Duolite resin was not as effective when used under these conditions.