We developed a precise and accurate graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method for the direct determination of zinc in serum. Serum samples are analyzed after 20-fold dilution with water of ultrapure analytical grade. No other reagent is used, from the moment of sampling until measurement. During atomization, the argon flow is kept at 150 mL/min instead of gas stop, to decrease the sensitivity and thus allow lower dilution ratios. Zinc concentrations are determined against a serum-matched calibration curve. Graphite tubes are uncoated and no L'vov platform is used. Between-run CVs were 5.9%, 3.5%, and 1.9% for serum zinc concentrations of 0.93, 1.15, and 1.43 mg/L, respectively. The characteristic mass was 9 pg, and the detection limit (meanblank + 3SDblank) was 0.060 mg/L.

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A B S T R A C TA 32-year-old woman who ingested thallium sulfate was treated with combined hemoperfusion-hemodialysis. Classical therapy, including Prussian Blue, was also administered. The clearance rate of the hemoperfusion and hemodialysis were 139 and 47 mL/ min, respectively. The efficiencies of these different methods were compared with each other and with the classical methods. It was concluded that hemoperfusion was the most efficient technique in extracting thallium sulfate. The combined hemoperfusionhemodialysis procedure is proposed for the treatment of severe intoxications with thallium sulfate.

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