GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF BERYLLIUM IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS AND IN AIR

The gas chromatographic determination of ultratrace quantities of beryllium in urine, blood, tissue, and air-borne dust is described. Except for air-borne dust, the procedure involves a double extraction, first with acetylacetone in benzene and then with a benzene solution of trifluoroacetylacetone. Beryllium in air-borne dust is extracted only by trifluoroacetylacetone in benzene. Levels as low as 1 × 10-10 gram (0.0001 μg.) of beryllium per sample can be determined by this method. Except for Fe3+ and Al3+, none of the ions usually present in air-borne dust or biological material interferes with the analysis. Fe3+ is removed in a magnetic mercury cathode. Al3+ can be precipitated with 8-quinolinol in chloroform. Recovery of beryllium ranged from 70 to 90% at levels from 1 × 10-9 gram (0.001 μg.) to 1 × 10-7 gram (0.10 μg.) per sample. The method is reliable, as shown by the results of analysis of air-borne dust and lung tissues. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.