Epithermal/fast neutron cyclic activation analysis for the determination of fluorine in environmental and industrial materials

Pseudocyclic activation analysis (12-second irradiation; 12-second count, 5 cycles, 25 minutes between cycles) is used to determine fluorine in plasti c and rubber with detection limits in the range 15-40 mg/kg. The detection of fluorine in materials containing high concentrations of aluminum is impr oved using the F-19(n,p)O-19 reaction, induced by fast neutrons, (30-second irradiation, 30-second count, 25-minute decay between cycles). The method was applied to a biomonitoring survey in the vicinity of an aluminum smelte r in the Ardal region, Norway. The fluorine concentration in the moss and s oil samples could be determined in all samples above the detection limits o f 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively.