Determination of methyl mercury in whole blood by ethylation-GC-CVAFS after alkaline digestion-solvent extraction.
A method for the determination of methyl mercury in whole blood samples based on ethylation-gas chromatography-cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry after alkaline digestion-solvent extraction is described. The extraction procedure and conditions were optimized, and the matrix interference after extraction was critically investigated. The storage stability of MeHg in blood samples and a series of extracts was determined. The method detection limit was found to be approximately 0.02 ng/g for a 0.5-g blood sample with relative standard deviations of less than 10%. The accuracy and precision were evaluated by summarizing the quality-control (QC) data generated over a one and one half year period. Appropriate procedures for sample collection, transportation, and storage were adapted to the method. Using this method accompanied by explicit QC protocols and procedures, background levels of MeHg and total mercury in blood for 150 8-10-year-old Portuguese children with nonoccupational and nonamalgamal exposure were determined and reported with summarized QC data.
Liang
L
L
Cebam Analytical, Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA. Lliang@aquaticresearchinc.com
Evens
C
C
Lazoff
S
S
Woods
J S
JS
Cernichiari
E
E
Horvat
M
M
Martin
M D
MD
DeRouen
T
T
D002648:Child; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000097:blood*; D011786:Quality Control; D012997:Solvents; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods
D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D012997:Solvents