A simple method for monitoring excessive levels of lead in whole blood using atomic-absorption spectrophotometry and a rapid, direct nebulisation technique

Abstract

A method for monitoring excessive levels of lead in whole blood, using a rapid, direct nebulisation, atomic-absorption technique is described. The blood sample is diluted with an equal volume of 0.2%m/V Triton X-100 solution and immersed in an ultrasonic bath for 10 min. A 200-µl aliquot of the resulting solution is then nebulised and the peak height of the transient output pulse is monitored. Some preliminary results are also reported for cadmium and selenium in blood using the single-pulse nebulisation atomic-fluorescence technique.