Determination of cadmium in blood plasma by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (GFAAS) procedure is described for the determination of Cd in rat blood plasma. Blood plasma was deproteinised with nitric acid prior to injection into the furnace. Calibration was with Cd in acidic solution and absorption signals were read in the integration mode. The method has a detection limit of 1.26 pg of Cd, and an imprecision of 1–4%(relative standard deviation) at a plasma concentration of 1 µg l^–1 of Cd. Accuracy was established by quantitative recovery of Cd added to plasma and by intercomparison of results with other atomic spectrometric procedures. Plasma Cd determination and the radioimmunoassay of plasma metallothionein are useful for the study of the mechanism of Cd toxicity in animals. Eventual applications in human occupational medicine could provide a warning of Cd toxicity before irreversible renal damage has occurred.