Determination of lead in teeth by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomisation

Abstract

After dissolution of whole teeth in nitric acid, the digests are evaporated to dryness and re-dissolved in 5%V/V nitric acid. Lead is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomisation directly against standards in 5%V/V nitric acid. Interference from the tooth matrix is shown to be minimal. Accuracy is demonstrated by satisfactory recovery of added lead, by analysis of the IAEA reference material H-5 animal bone, and by inter-laboratory comparison. Determination of lead in the two halves of 61 split teeth showed a high correlation (r= 0.987) with a mean difference of 0.8 µg g^–1.