Simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead in urine by means of computerized potentiometric stripping analysis

In computerized potentiometric stripping analysis for cadmium and lead in urine the samples are acidified with hydrochloric acid to a total concentration equal to 0.5 M. The sample is pre-electrolyzed at —1.25 V vs. SCE for 2 min without prior sample heating or deoxygenation, the working electrode being a mercury pre-coated glassy-carbon electrode. The lead and cadmium concentrations are evaluated by means of standard addition. Detection limits are 1 nM for both elements. Results obtained by potentiometric stripping analysis and by solvent extraction/atomic absorption are compared for samples from unexposed persons and from one patient under penicillamine treatment. The relative merits of the potentiometric stripping, anodic stripping and atomic absorption techniques are discussed.