Rapid determination of lead and cadmium in biological fluids by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Zeeman correction

Procedures for the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of lead and cadmium in urine, serum and blood are developed. For serum and blood, the samples are diluted by incorporating 0.015% (w/v) Triton X-100 and 0.1% (w/v) ammonium dihydrogenphosphate to the solutions, which are then introduced directly into the furnace. A solution containing 15% (w/v) hydrogen peroxide and 0.65% (w/v) nitric acid is also introduced into the atomizer by means of a separate injection. Zeeman-based correction is recommended. Both conventional and fast-heating programs are discussed. Calibration is carried out using the standard additions method. The reliability of the procedures is checked by analyzing three certified reference materials and by recovery studies. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.