• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.382-387
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• 2012

Ethylene oxide ($C_2H_4O$, EtO) is used as a raw material for the production of ethylene glycol and other industrially important material such as ethanolamines and also used as a disinfecting agent. It is applied for gas-phase sterilization of thermally sensitive medical equipment, and for processing of storage facilities as a mixture with fluorinated hydrocarbon. In this perspective, accurate determination of the mole fractions of components in the liquefied gas mixture is required for the quality control and safety of production and use. Each component of the liquefied gas mixture has different chemical and physical properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point. Therefore, we can suppose that analytical results can be different according to the introduction method for the gas phase of upper layer, or for the liquid phase of lower layer in gas cylinder. In this study, we designed a new on-line sample injection device for the liquefied gas mixture in liquid or gas state, and applied to the analysis of liquefied gas mixture of ethylene oxide and fluorinated hydrocarbons by GC/AED (gas chromatograph-atomic emission detector). We studied performance of AED, and effect of sample introduction and selected wavelength to the accuracy and repeatability of analytical results.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.514-520
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• 2002

The electrothermal vaporization (ETV) hollow cathode glow discharge atomic emission spectrometer for analysis of liquid sample has been developed and characterized. This system has improved the sample introduction method of electrothermal vaporization and the hollow cathode glow discharge. The sample introduction method was possible to provide high analyte transport efficiency to the plasma by helix coil made of tungsten material. In addition, small volume samples (<$30{\mu}{\ell}$) could be used. The system has glow discharge cell with special design for improvement of precision. The effect of discharge parameters such as discharge power, gas flow rate has been studied to find optimum condition. The emitted light was effectively carried into detector by fiber optic cable in UV region. The calibration curve of Pb, Cd were obtained with 3 samples.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2009

Purpose: We tested a sample of nuclear medicine workers at Korean healthcare institutions for internal contamination with radioactive isotopes, measuring concentrations and evaluating doses of individual exposure. Materials and Methods: The detection and measurement was performed on urine samples collected from 25 nuclear medicine workers at three large hospitals located in Seoul. Urine samples were collected once a week, 100~200 mL samples were gathered up to 6~10 times weekly. A high-purity germanium detector was used to measure gamma radiations in urine samples for the presence of radioactive isotopes. Based on the detection results, we estimated the amounts of intake and committed effective doses using IMBA software. In cases where committed effective doses could not be adequately evaluated with IMBA software, we estimated individual committed effective doses for radionuclides with a very short half life such as $^{99m}Tc$ and $^{123}I$, using the methods recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency. Results: Radionuclides detected through the analysis of urine samples included $^{99m}Tc$, $^{123}I$, $^{131}I$ and $^{201}Tl$, as well as $^{18}F$, a nuclide used in Positron Emission Tomography examinations. The committed effective doses, calculated based on the radionuclide concentrations in urine samples, ranged from 0 to 5 mSv, but were, in the majority of cases, less than 1 mSv. The committed effective dose exceeded 1 mSv in three of the samples, and all three were workers directly handling radioactive sources. No nurses were found to have a committed effective dose in excess of 1 mSv. Conclusions: To improve the accuracy of results, it may be necessary to conduct a long-term study, performed over a time span wide enough to allow the clear determination of the influence of seasonal factors. A larger sample should also help increase the reliability of results. However, as most Korean nuclear medicine workers are currently not necessary to monitored routinely for internal contamination with radionuclides. Notwithstanding, a continuous effort is recommended to reduce any unnecessary exposure to radioactive substances, even if in inconsequential amounts, by regularly surveying workplace environments and frequently monitoring atmospheric concentrations of radionuclides.