A Rapid Method for the Determination of Mercury in Urine

Abstract
A rapid and simple method is described for the determination of mercury in urine. The urine sample is injected on to a plug of silver gauze heated to about 450°C in a furnace, where the mercury is decomposed to elemental mercury vapour. The vapour is swept from the furnace by a current of air, and after cooling and filtration through cotton wool it passes through a sensitive and stable mercury vapour detector. For routine determinations, 40 μl of urine is injected into the furnace by means of a pneumatic sampling valve coupled to a timer. The mercury is determined in about 20 sec and the lower limit of usefulness is in the region of 50 μg/l.

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