ABSTRACT
A semi-quantitative screening method for heavy metals in biological material is described. The metals are complexed with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate and potassium sodium tartrate. The solutions are adjusted to pH 4 and then extracted into chloroform. The chloroform phase is evaporated onto a matrix mixture of lithium fluoride and graphite. The sample is analysed by direct current arc emission spectroscopy using a 3 metre grating spectrograph. The spectra are recorded on a photographic plate. The method is developed on aqueous and spiked samples and then applied to in vivo samples containing toxic levels of heavy metals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy is used to check standard concentrations and to monitor the efficiency of the extraction procedure.
Subject(s)
Arsenic/analysis , Metals/analysis , Animals , Antimony/analysis , Bismuth/analysis , Cadmium/analysis , Humans , Lead/analysis , Mercury/analysis , Rats , Spectrophotometry, Atomic/methods , Thallium/analysisABSTRACT
The use of emission spectrography for the analysis of small glass fragments (approximately 1 mg) is described. Levels of Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn have been determined in approximately 200 samples, and with the exception of Ca their variation appears to be of value in the classification and/or discrimination of glass. The precision of the method has been studied and its accuracy determined by the analysis of standard glasses prepared in the laboratory.
