A micro-sampling method for the rapid determination of lead in blood by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The concentrations of lead in 10-µl samples of whole blood are accurately determined in less than 5 minutes by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. After partial oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in micro crucibles made from nickel foil, the samples are volatilised, by using an air-acetylene flame, into a nickel absorption tube situated in the flame. The sensitivity of the method is 1 × 10–10 g of lead per 1 per cent. absorption at 283·3 nm, and the standard deviation is ±4 per cent. at the 3-ng level. Thirty-nine blood samples with lead concentrations ranging from 19 to 245 µg per 100 ml were analysed by the method described and by automated colorimetry involving the use of dithizone. The correlation coefficient between the results of both methods was 0·989.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: