Determination of bismuth in urine and prescription medicines using atomic absorption with an on-line hydride generation system

The bismuth contents of various digested urine samples and prescription medicines were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry combined with hydride generation, The procedure followed was a standard addition method for urine and direct calibration for the prescription medicines. The detection limit of the method was determined to be 320 pg ml(-1) Bi with an analytical frequency of 150 h(-1). A relative standard deviation of 4.7% was found for Bi in urine at the level of 4.3 ng ml(-1) Bi. Interference caused by Ni-II, Co-II, Cu-II, Ag-I, Se-IV, Sb-III and Hg-II could be controlled with a masking solution of thiourea (0.2%)-KI(10%).