DETERMINATION OF COPPER, ZINC AND IRON IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGES BY ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

Concentrations of Zn, Cu and Fe were measured in 157 broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL), before and after centrifugation, collected at the Leuve n University Hospital (Belgium). Zn was measured by flame-atomic absor ption spectroscopy, using direct calibration, while Cu and Fe were det ermined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy, using the me thod of standard additions. For Fe only 56 samples were measured. Most of the studied elements are present in the liquid phase (supernatant) . About 90% of Cu concentrations lie between 0 and 15 mu g/kg, while 9 0% of Zn concentrations are lower than 230 mu g/kg, with 30% between 3 0 and 70 mu g/kg, and 50% between 100 and 200 mu g/kg. There seems to be a reverse relationship between Cu and Zn levels with high Cu going along with low Zn and vice versa.