Direct determination of chromium in urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Abstract

A simple, direct method for the determination of Cr levels in [human worker] urine is described. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is used after the urine samples have been acidified. The optimal conditions at the ashing and atomization stages were determined. The detection limit of this method is 5 nmol/l, and the coefficient of variation (within day) is .apprx. 3% in the concentration range 20-400 nmol/l. Use of a low temperature asher with electrically excited O2 before analysis gave results similar to those of the direct procedure. Good correlation was obtained from 2 other laboratories using different instruments and pretreatments.