Abstract
Here we report our experience of quantification of mercury in blood, plasma and urine by using modifications of a procedure for cold vapour atomic absorption. We have tried: (1) modifications of the instrumentation including the tower, the cell and apparatus for measurement; (2) to increase the volume of sample, avoiding problems caused by foaming and background to arrive at a reliable method with low detection limit. Blood and plasma samples were digested overnight in a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid (1:5). Recovert of known additions of mercury was close to 100%. Coefficients of variation (CV) within runs and between runs was B-Hg 4.7 and 9.5., respectively at 20 nmol/l, and for U-Hg 1.8 and 5.2, respectively at 57 nmol/l. The same detection limit of 5 nmol/l was obtained with blood, plasma and urine. This is in the lower range of non-occupationally exposed normal subjects. The results, including those obtained in sample exchange with other laboratories and with reference materials, indicate that the accuracy of this method for quantifications of mercury is good.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.