Determination of lead in blood using flow injection and a nebuliser interface for flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

An improved system for the determination of lead in blood by flame atomic absorption spectrometry has been developed. The system is based on flow injection, a nebuliser interface and a computer signal evaluation system. The system improves the detection limit 12-fold compared with that obtained by unmodified instrumentation. A detection limit of 0.06 µM was obtained using a 10-year-old instrument. With a relative standard deviation of 5% at normal lead levels in blood, even small changes in the lead concentration can be determined with adequate precision and accuracy.