Analytical quality control by solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in the production of animal tissue reference materials: bovine liver, teeth, bone, muscle, blood and equine renal cortex

Summary The function of solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-GFAAS) in the laboratory-internal preparation, production and standardization of several animal tissue reference materials is described. SS-GFAAS is successfully applied in the production of a bovine liver reference material with a low content of Pb and Cd. The lab-internal production of 5 bovine teeth and 2 bovine bone reference materials illustrates some of the basic problems entailed in the analysis of Pb in osseus matrices and in the production of the reference material itself. In the production of muscle tissue reference material focal or generalized calcification is a serious source of endogenous Pb contamination. This is shown, by way of example, in the calcification of the larval states of Taenia saginata (Cysticercus bovis) in the bovine muscle. Finally, as further examples of the application of SS-GFAAS, the lab-internal production of reference material from bovine blood and equine renal cortex is described.