Measurement of silver in blood by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry using the micro-cup technique

Abstract

A rapid and precise method for the measurement of silver in blood by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry using the micro-cup (Delves) technique is described. The limit of detection is 2.7 ng ml^–1 and the calibration graph is linear up to a concentration of 400 ng ml^–1. In 30 subjects industrially exposed to fine silver dust the silver concentration in their blood was less than 2.7 ng ml^–1, so that the principal use of the method will be in detecting cases of excessive exposure to this metal.