Abstract: Sodium is determined, virtually without known interferences, based on neutron activation of liquid sample to produce radioactive .sup.23 Ne activation product from .sup.23 Na, sparging of the sample whereby a headspace gas mixture comprising .sup.23 Ne in an inert sparging gas is collected, and remote analysis of the headspace gas mixture to determine total parent sodium based on monitoring radiation emissions of .sup.23 Ne. As an illustration of utility, the analysis is demonstrated as applicable to determinations of sodium in aqueous or organic matrices at concentrations of 1 part per thousand and greater using preferred forms of .sup.241 Am/Be radioactive isotope as the activation source.