Methodical Aspects of the Determination of Pb, Cd and Mn in Foetal Bone

Summary

Zeeman compensated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine the contents of Pb, Cd and Mn in wet digested rib bones of foetusses and children up to 2 years of age. The method was scrutinized with respect to wavelenght, acid and sample concentrations. The accuracy of the measurements was clearly influenced by lot, individual quality and age of the graphite tubes. Monetite (CaHPO₄) of high purity was used to supervise contamination and quality control was reassured by H5 animal bone, a standard reference material of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Examination of so far 66 bone samples resulted 0.5–4 μg Pb, 7–115 ng Cd, and 0.1–5 µg Mn per gram of defatted dry matter.