Simultaneous determination of trace cadmium and lead in single human hair by tungsten electrothermal vaporization-flame atomic fluorescence spectrometry

• Published in: Microchemical journal Vol. 114; pp. 182 - 186
• Main Authors: Chen, Yi, Li, Mengtian, Fu, Lulu, Hou, Xiandeng, Jiang, Xiaoming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Atomic fluorescence spectrometry; Cadmium; Electrothermal vaporization; Flame; Lead; Single hair; Tungsten coil; Cadmium; Electrothermal vaporization; Atomic fluorescence spectrometry; Lead; Tungsten coil; Single hair; Flame
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2014.01.002

A new method was proposed for simultaneous determination of ultratrace cadmium and lead in a single string of human hair by coupling of a tungsten coil electrothermal vaporizer (W-coil ETV) and an argon–hydrogen flame for atomic fluorescence spectrometry (Ar–H2 flame AFS). The sample digestion and experimental conditions for the determination of cadmium and lead in a single hair were investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LODs, 3σ) were 0.05pg and 3pg for Cd and Pb, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was demonstrated by analyzing a certified reference hair sample and several adult hair samples for trace Cd and Pb. By use of its high sensitivity and low sample consumption (typically 10μL), it is potentially useful for determination of trace elements in a single string of hair from career and crime scenes for forensic purpose. •Ultrasensitive elemental analysis of a single human hair was achieved by electrothermal vaporization-flame AFS.•Simple, fast and efficient digestion of hair was adapted.•Simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb was achieved by a dual-channel detection mode.•The method featured with high sensitivity, tiny sampling volume, simplicity and cost-effectiveness.•It is potentially useful for fingerprinting trace elements of a single string of hair for forensic purpose.