Detection and semiquantitative determination of cadmium and copper using polyurethane foam loaded with selective reagents

Polyurethane foams immobilizing dithizone and lead diethyldithiocarbamate were prepared and examined, respectively, for the detection of cadmium and copper in aqueous solution. In batch tests, amounts as low as 0.1 and 0.05 μg ml^?1 of cadmium and copper are easily detected. Lower concentrations of these metal ions were detected in flow experiments using columns packed with 0.5 g of the reagent foam. Semiquantitative determination of these metals is also possible using a suitable standard color scale.