Sampling and analysis techniques used in a blood lead survey of 1241 children in Port Pirie, South Australia.

Methods are described for taking finger-prick blood samples and for analyzing these samples for lead. Quality-control techniques and procedures for the validation of all results are described. Results of a survey of 1241 children are given and results for 149 venous samples are compared with results for the corresponding finger-prick samples. This finger-prick sampling method evidently is suitable for use in screening large numbers of children.

The accurate determination of bismuth in lead concentrates and other non-ferrous materials by AAS after separation and preconcentration of the bismuth with mercaptoacetic acid.

A method for determining 0.0001% and upwards of bismuth in lead, zinc or copper concentrates, metals or alloys and other smelter residues is described. Bismuth is separated from lead, iron and gangue materials with mercaptoacetic acid after reduction of the iron with hydrazine. Large quantities of tin can be removed during the dissolution. An additional separation is made for materials high in copper and/or sulphate. The separated and concentrated bismuth is determined by atomic-absorption spectrometry using the Bi line at 223.1 nm. The proposed method also allows the simultaneous separation and determination of silver.