title: Rapid separation on copper powder of total mercury in blood and determination of mercury by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry.
abstract: The determination of mercury in blood by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) has been described. Prior to its analysis, the sample was decomposed by combustion and separated on a copper powder micro-column. A special type of cell has been used which gives a better sensitivity compared with the types of cells described in the literature and the method of FAAS analysis has been improved. The sensitivity of 0.1 ng for 1% absorbance was observed and the standard deviation for six determinations at this level was found to be +/- 0.05 ng, for 95% probability.
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood*; D008832:Microchemistry; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury