DETERMINATION OF BERYLLIUM IN URINE BY GRAPHITE-FURNACE ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

A method for the determination of beryllium in urine samples by Graphi te Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GFAAS) has been develo ped. The background correction problem due to the sample matrix was ov ercome by solvent extraction step. Urine samples were digested with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids. Beryllium in solut ion was complexed with acetylacetone, extracted In chloroform at pH 8. 5 and back extracted in 2%(v/v) nitric acid for final analysis by AAS. The range of concentrations of beryllium observed in urine samples co vering both occupational and control subject was 0.03 - 0.37 ng Be/ml.