Development of Thermospray Interfaced HPLC-FAAS System for Studies on Cadmium Speciation in Human Body Fluids

Abstract
Early work on cadmium speciation of body fluids using GC-AA indicated the presence of CdCl2, but other non-volatile Cd compounds were not detected (1). Such compounds may be detected by LC-AA. To this end, an HPLC-Flame AA system (FAAS) has been developed using a thermospray. This device greatly increased the sensitivity of the flame AA system. Its use revealed the presence of numerous non-volatile cadmium compounds in urine and perspiration and confirmed our earlier observation that perspiration is a major process for removing cadmium from the body. Using data obtained, the half life of cadmium in the body is about 18 months rather than 20–30 years as currently believed.