No abstract

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed as a method for determining mercury in baby food and seafoods. Samples are prepared as slurries and fast-program methodology is used to avoid mercury volatilization losses. Suspensions are prepared in a medium containing 0.1% m/v Triton X-100, 3% v/v concentrated nitric acid, 2% m/v potassium permanganate and 4% m/v silver nitrate, before being directly introduced into the furnace. Calibration is carried out using aqueous standards. The characteristic mass is 61 pg and the detection limit is 59 pg. The reliability of the procedure is checked by comparing the results obtained with others based on microwave-oven sample digestion and by analyzing two certified reference materials. The maximum levels of mercury were found in fish liver.The bodily accumulation of mercury in humans is predominantly caused by diet 1 and dental amalgam. 2 Local mercury contamination arises from organomercury compounds such as methyl-, dimethyl-, ethyl-and phenylmercury salts. These compounds are highly toxic since they are easily absorbed and accumulated in erythrocytes and the central nervous system.

No abstract

The analytical conditions for the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of copper, manganese, nickel, and cobalt in different types of baby foods using slurried samples are presented. Suspensions were prepared in a medium containing 0.1% w/v Triton X-100, 30% v/v concentrated hydrogen peroxide, 1% v/v concentrated nitric acid, 1% w/v ammonium dihydrogenphosphate (only for copper atomization), and one drop of silicon antifoam. The slurries were homogenized by using a potter and were introduced directly into the furnace. The amount of analyte extracted to the liquid phase was investigated. The graphite furnace conditions were optimized for each element. No matrix effect was observed, and calibration could be carried out using aqueous standard solutions. The detection limits were 3.4, 2.1, 5.4, and 3.7 pg for copper, manganese, nickel, and cobalt, respectively. The reliability of the procedures was checked by statistically comparing the results obtained with those found by using a previous microwave-oven mineralization stage and by analyzing several certified reference materials.

No abstract