Spectral interferences in the analysis of cadmium in human blood by ICP-MS: comparison between high resolution sector field ICP-MS and quadrupole ICP-MS

Both high resolution sector field ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS) and quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QMS), with and without the collision cell technology, were used to investigate interferences observed in the analysis of cadmium in whole blood. Interference tests were performed, in which blood samples were spiked with K, Na₂EDTA and Mo. Significant interferences were observed on the ¹¹¹Cd isotope, especially in K-spiked samples. Interferences were more pronounced on the ICP-SFMS than on the ICP-QMS. Accurate Cd analysis in blood samples can be performed on both instruments using the ¹¹⁴Cd isotope after mathematical corrections for ¹¹⁴Sn and ⁹⁸Mo¹⁶O.