A Biological Monitoring Method for Cadmium

Measurement of metals in blood and urine at low concentrations is not easy. Atomic absorption using electrothermal atomization (ETAAS) affords the necessary sensitivity but can be subject to interferences that lead to erroneous results if not set up properly. Flame AAs (FAAS) is generally simpler and less susceptible to the effects of urine composition. However, sensitivity is not as good as that of ETAAS. Two recent developments may make it possible for cadmium to be measured in urine by FAAS at concentrations of approximately 1 mu g/L. These developments are column preconcentration and flame atom trapping devices (slotted quartz tube), which prolong the residence time of the atomic vapor in the light path (2-6). In this study these developments have been applied to measurements in urine and blood by FAAS.