Simultaneous determination of lead, cadmium and nickel in foodstuffs, animal organs, tissues and human food by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS)

A new generation of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer enables the simultaneous determination of several trace elements. Using an optimized temperature-time-program for ashing and atomization, the Smith-Hieftje background correction and a matrix modifier, the determination of Pb, Cd and Ni in one run is possible. The detection limits of the new method of 0.039 mg Pb, 0.006 mg Cd and 0.022 mg Ni per kg sample, permit the determination of these elements in soils, foodstuffs, animal organs, tissues and human food. These detection limits comply with the guidelines of the ''Zentrale Erfassungs-und Bewertungsstelle fur Umweltchemikalien'' (central registration- and assessment office for environmental chemicals) of the ''Bundesgesundheitsamt'' (german public health department). The new multielement method reduces measurement time and costs, i.e. graphite tubes, gas, matrix modifier, reference material and sample solution, in comparison to conventional single-element GF-AAS.