Lead in micro-samples of whole blood by Rhenium-cup in-torch vaporization-inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ITV-ICP-AES)

A method is described for screening of lead in diluted micro-samples of whole blood by a Re-cup, in-torch vaporization (ITV) sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The method required minimum sample preparation. For example, blood was diluted with water and Triton X-100 in 0.5% HNO3 and, 5 microL were deposited on the Re-cup of the ITV sample introduction system. Samples were dried and charred in-situ prior to vaporization. Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Pb concentration: 4.04, 10.3, 20.59 and 39.36 microg/dL) of NIST Standard Reference Material 955b 'lead in bovine blood' were used to test accuracy and precision. Accuracy was acceptable and precision was below 10% for levels 2-4 and 15% for level 1.