Direct determination of thallium in biological materials by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A simple and rapid method for the direct determination of thallium in biological materials has been developed by using graphite furnace Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry. A linear calibration curve was obtained for thallium concentration in the range of 0~200 ppb. A detection limit for thallium was 1.0 X 10-11g. The method was applied for the determination of thallium in blood, urine, and hair. The results obtained by the method of simple dilution of blood and urine with 0.1 N HNO3 or by the method of direct insertion of hair into a graphite cup cuvette were in good agreement with those obtained by standard addition method and by solvent extraction method for blood and urine, or those obtained by wet ashing method followed by solvent extraction method for hair, respectively. This direct method was applied to screening test for thallium poisoning. Thallium concentration in urine, blood, and hair in normal group were below the detection limit, however in low exposure group without clinical symptoms of thallium poisoning, thallium could be detected. Therefore, this method was a very useful screening test for thallium. © 1984, The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry. All rights reserved.