Analysis of total mercury in human tissues prepared by microwave decomposition using a hydride generator system coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer

A fast and efficient procedure has been developed for the analysis of total mercury in human tissues and blood using a hydride vapor generator system coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer (HVG-AA). Tissue and blood sam ples were digested in a pressurized microwave decomposition system and the digest diluted prior to formation of free mercury vapor and analysis by ato mic absorption. Recovery studies performed on 10 spiked/unspiked pairs of h uman liver and on 10 spiked/ unspiked pairs of human blood samples yielded average recoveries of 99.7% (CV = 0.4%) and 101.2% (CV = 0.5%), respectivel y. The method detection limit for liver and blood was 50 mug Hg/kg and 12.5 mug Hg/l, respectively. The "normal" concentrations of mercury in human li ver and blood are 33-490 mug Hg/kg and 0.6-59 mug Hg/l, respectively [1] Th is method is able to determine mercury poisoning levels and may also be app lied to detect mercury near the lower levels of these "normal" ranges, usin g the standard addition method approach. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.