SOURCES OF MISINTERPRETATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLUTONIUM MEASUREMENTS

Analytical and statistical uncertainties associated with low-level mea surements may lead to spurious conclusions regarding the behavior of s ome plutonium isotopes. The general aspect of the methodology used in sample collection, preparation, radiochemical separation and alpha spe ctroscopy analysis of plutonium is considered. Biases and experimental artifacts that may produce inaccurate results and improper conclusion s are discussed with examples from our research and from the open lite rature.