Determination of titanium and zirconium wear debris in blood serum by means of HNO3/HF pressurized digestion using ICP – optical emission spectrometry

A ‘one bottle’ method to determine particulate debris of titanium and zirconium in blood serum was developed. Inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to simultaneously detect both elements at concentrations above 50 ng/mL. Pressurized digestion by means of nitric and hydrofluoric acid in PTFE^TM-containers in a specific time-heat-pressure protocol apparatus was applied to assure complete solvation of particles including oxides. Total decomposition of the matrix was achieved and reasonable detection limits were accomplished. The amount of remaining carbon did not cause any matrix problems during measurement. Received: 10 October 1997 / Revised: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 9 December 1997