The use of 99mTc as a tracer in the determination of 99Tc by ICPmass spectrometry

The aim of this paper is to carry out a deep study on the possibilities of using 99mTc from 99Mo-99mTc clinical isotope generators to trace the radiochemical separations for 99Tc measurements by ICP-MS. By appropriately de®ning a minimum detectable mass concentration (MDMC) for the mass spectrometer it is possible to conclude that such use is acceptable for a wide range of activities of the tracer. The MDMC increases from 0.41 to 0.51 ppt when the amount of 99mTc added to the samples ranges from 0 to 2 MBq. The purification of the final sample from Ru must be the main objective of the 99Tc measurement method, since its presence noticeably enhances the 99Tc MDMC.