Application of the radioreagent method for trace determination of lead

A radioreagent method of analysis was developed and applied to the determination of trace quantities of lead in several types of samples. The method is based on the extraction of radioactive cobalt, displaced by lead from the cobalt chelate of ethylenediaminetetraacetate labelled with⁶⁰Co, into a tetracycline-benzyl alcohol solution. The radioactivity of the released cobalt, extracted into the organic phase, is proportional to the lead concentration. Interference caused by some elements was eliminated by means of a previous separation of lead using dithizone. The method was applied for lead determination in aerosol samples, gasoline and samples from the International Atomic Energy Agency, namely: simulated-air filter (Air-3), fresh water (W-3), dried animal whole blood (A-2) and calcined animal bone (A-3/1). The sensitivity, accuracy and precision of the method were also studied.Part of this material was submitted to the University of São Paulo in partial fulfilment for a Doctor of Science's Degree of A. M. G. FIGUEIREDO.