Determination of iron in human fingernails by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using various chemical modifiers

The determination of iron in the presence of various isomorphous metals has been studied. The atomic absorption signal for iron was increased and stab ilized by Lu, Mg, Ni, Pd, Ho, Eu and Tb; while Sm, Tm and Er did not provid e complete stabilization of iron. Respectively, the characteristic masses w ere 12.4, 14.8, 15.5, 15.3, 16.9, 17.8, 21.0, 20.4, 18.8 and 20.8 pg. The e fficiency of the different modifiers was tested far the quantification of i ron in fingernails with aqueous standards. The use of Lu offered the best s ensitivity and reproducibility in comparison with the other chemical modifi ers. Therefore, this modifier was used for the accurate determination of ir on in fingernails of 30 normal adults.