Efficient decontamination of actinides like americium, uranium, neptunium and plutonium from laboratory surfaces.
The decontamination should be easy in the sense that it could be performed on a regular basis.
The level of "contamination" is very low, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry is needed for detection.
Dear Dominik Koll, we frequently worked only with uranium and thorium. For the more radioactive elements you should contact @Thomas E. Albrecht-Schmitt
who is a leading expert in the chemistry of these elements.
Frank T. Edelmann Thanks for the contact, I would also be very happy to learn about your experience with uranium and thorium.
Dear Dominik Koll, it is more than 30 years ago that we last worked with uranium and thorium. At that time the safety measures were not a strict as today. We handled U and Th compounds in a fume hood much like any other toxic heavy metal. So we tried to work as cleanly as possible (e.g. wearing gloves) and collected all residues in a special waste bin for deposition. Please be aware of the fact that working with neptunium, americium, and plutonium requires completey different safety measures and specialized laboratories.
I wanted to add the answer from Prof. Albrecht-Schmitt for you all, who was very kind and helpful:
You can make a solution of EDTA, a bit of HF (a few drops), and a borax-type soap. Wipe in one direction only. Don't make circles.
Alternatively, we have found that "Armorall" wipes are incredible, and we buy this by the case. These are better than anything else and cheap.
In a pinch 5 M HCl is always the go-to.
If anybody has other suggestions, I would be very happy to learn about it!
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