• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.258-266
• /
• 2019

Objectives: In this study, blood lead was analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAs) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We tried to examine the difference and consistency of the analytical values and the applicability of the analytical method. Methods: We selected 57 people who agreed to participate in this study. After confirming the linearity of the calibration standard curves in GF-AAs and ICP-MS, the concentrations of lead in quality control material and samples were measured, and the degree of agreement was compared. Results: The detection limit of the ICP-MS was lower than that of GF-AAs. The coefficient of variation of reference materials was shown to be stable in the ICP-MS and GF-AAs. When the correspondence between the two equipments was verified by bias of the analysis values, a concordance was shown, and approximately 98% of the ideal reference lines were present within ${\pm}40%$ of the deflection. Conclusion: GF-AAs showed high sensitivity to single heavy metal analysis, but it took much time and showed higher detection limit than ICP-MS. Therefore, it would be considered necessary to switch to ICP-MS analysis method, considering that the level of lead exposure is gradually decreasing.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.491-501
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare concentrations and the correspondence of human blood cadmium by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), which are representative methods of heavy metal analysis. Methods: We randomly selected 79 people who agreed to participate in the research project. After confirming the linearity of the calibration curves for GF-AAS and ICP-MS, the concentrations of cadmium in a quality control standard material and blood samples were measured, and the correlation and the degree of agreement were compared. Results: The detection limit of ICP-MS (IDL: $0.000{\mu}g/L$, MDL: $0.06{\mu}g/L$) was lower than that of GF-AAS (IDL: $0.085{\mu}g/L$, MDL: $0.327{\mu}g/L$). The coefficient of variation of the quality control standard material showed stable values for both ICP-MS (clinchek-1: 5.35%, clinchek-2: 6.22%) and GF-AAS (clinchek-1: 7.92%, clinchek-2: 5.22%). Recovery was relatively high for both ICP-MS (clinchek-1: 95.1%, clinchek-2: 92.8%) and GF-AAS (clinchek-1: 91.4%, clinchek-2: 98.8%), with more than 90%. The geometric mean, median, and percentile of blood samples were all similar. The agreement of the two instruments compared with the bias of the analytical values found that about 81% of the analytical values were within ${\pm}30%$ of the deviation from the ideal reference line (y=0). As a result of the agreement limit, the value included in the confidence interval was about 94%, which shows high agreement. Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed there was no significant difference in concentrations of a quality control standard material and blood samples. Since ICP-MS showed lower concentrations than GF-AAS at concentrations below the method detection limit of GF-AAS, it is expected that more precise results will be obtained by analyzing blood cadmium with ICP-MS.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate two sample digestion procedures and instrumental determination parameters for analysis of lead in bone. Amputated human legs were treated by acid digestion or microwave dissolution prior to spectrometric analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) were used for determining bone lead levels. Recovery efficiencies using standard reference material from acid digestion measured by ICP-MS were in good agreement with those of the certified value, but in cases of acid digestion by GF-AAS and microwave digestion by both two methods, recovery underestimated and overestimated, respectively. For the bone samples, the lead concentrations obtained by ICP-MS after acid digestionwere in good agreement with those by GF-AAS (correlation coefficient = 0.983), but GF-AAS gave systematically higher values than ICP-MS. While a good agreement between two analytical methods after microwave digestion was also obtained (correlation coefficient = 0.950), bone lead concentrations from microwave were relatively higher than those from acid digestion. In conclusion, the use of the simple nitric acid digestion procedure at an ambient temperature coupled to ICP-MS seems to be efficient for the determination of lead in bone in consideration for both the convenience and validity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.450-464
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study developed and validated reference materials (RMs) to analyze metal compounds in blood. Methods: We referred to KoNEHS (Korea National Environmental Health Survey) to estimate concentrations of blood metals (cadmium, Cd; lead, Pb; mercury, Hg) and applied analytical methods (inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy, ICP-MS, for Cd and Pb; graphite furnace - atomic absorption spectrometry, GF-AAS, for Cd and Pb; and direct mercury analyzer, DMA, for Hg). Homogeneity and stability tests were carried out. In addition, certified values and uncertainties of RMs were calculated through internal and external experiments. All RMs were developed and assessed in various forms according to element, analytical method, and two types of concentration levels high concentration for occupational exposure and low concentration for environmental exposure. Results: All samples showed acceptable homogeneity, except for low concentration of Cd in the GF-AAS method. Short- and long-term stabilities were satisfied by ANOVA testing. In the inter-laboratory comparison, robust medians were lower than the certified values of all RMs (robust median/reference value; $1.301/1.327{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, low concentration; $3.152/3.388{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, high concentration; $1.219/1.301{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, low concentration; $3.074/3.321{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, high concentration; $14.473/14.516{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, low concentration; $50.069/50.114{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, high concentration; $12.881/14.147{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, low concentration; $47.015/47.591{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, high concentration; $4.059/4.218{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, low concentration; $11.474/11.181{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, high concentration). Conclusion: This study demonstrates procedures for developing and validating RMs for biomonitoring in the field of the environmental health.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2010

It is of importance that all countries in worldwide, including EU and China, have adopted the Restrictions on the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) for all electronics. IEC62321 document, which was published by the International Electronics Committee (IEC) can have conflicts with the standards in the market. On the contrary Publicly Accessible Specification (PAS) for sampling published by IEC TC111 can be adopted for complementary application. In this work, we tried to find a route to disassemble and disjoint cellular phone sample, based on PAS and compare the screening methods available in the market. For this work, the cellular phone produced in 2001, before the regulation was born, was chosen for better detection. Although X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) showed excellent performance for screening, fast and easy handling, it can give information on the surface, not the bulk, and have some limitations due to significant matrix interference and lack of variety of standards for quantification. It means that screening with XRF sometimes requires supplementary tool. There are several techniques available in the market of analytical instruments. Laser ablation (LA) ICP-MS, energy dispersive (ED) XRF and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were demonstrated for screening a cellular phone. For quantitative determination, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) was employed. Experimental results for Pb in a battery showed large difference in analytical results in between XRF and GF-AAS, i.e., 0.92% and 5.67%, respectively. In addition, the standard deviation of XRF was extremely large in the range of 23-168%, compared with that in the range of 1.9-92.3% for LA-ICP-MS. In conclusion, GF-AAS was required for quantitative analysis although EDX was used for screening. In this work, it was proved that LA-ICP-MS can be used as a screening method for fast analysis to determine hazardous elements in electrical products.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2004

The synergistic solvent extraction of Mn(II) by N-nitroso-N-phenylhydroxylamineammonium salt (cupferron) and tetrabutylammonium ion ($TBA^+$) has been studied. In the presence of $TBA^+$, over 95% Mn(II) was extracted from an aqueous solution into chloroform by the cupferron in the pH range of 4 to 10. But a part of Mn(II) was extracted with only cupferron. The ternary complex of Mn(II) was more efficiently extracted into $CH_2Cl_2$ and $CHCl_3$ than other nonpolar solvents. The extracted Mn(II) was determined in the back-extracted $HNO_3$ solution by GF-AAS. This fixed procedure was applied to the determination of trace Mn(II) in tap water samples of pH 5.0. The detection limit equivalent to 3 times standard deviation of the background absorption was 0.37 ng/mL and Mn(II) was determined with the range of 0.4 to 1.01 ng/mL in our laboratory's tap water. And the recovery was 94 to 107% in samples in which 2.0 ng/mL Mn(II) was spiked. The interferences of common concomitant elements such as Cu(II), Ca(II), Fe(III) and so on were not shown up to $10{\sim}20{\mu}g/mL$. From these results, this procedure could be concluded to be applied for the determination of trace Mn(II) in other environmental water samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.281-288
• /
• 2021

This study was conducted to analyze and compare the concentrations of heavy metals in 430 different products of 20 types of herbal medicines available in the domestic market in Korea by Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) and automated mercury analyzer. The accuracy for lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) was in the range 92.67-102.56%, and the precision was 0.21-6.00 relative standard deviation (RSD%), which was in compliance with the Codex acceptable range. Furthermore, the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) quality control (QC) material showed a recovery range of 96.7-102.0% and 0.33-4.93 RSD%. The average contents (㎍/kg) of Pb, As, Cd, and Hg in herbal medicines were 254.9 (not detected (N.D.)-2,515.2), 171.0 (N.D.-2,465.2), 99.2 (N.D.-797.1), and 6.0 (N.D.-83.6), respectively. Based on the quantitative analysis results, the heavy metal contents of 20 types of herbal medicines distributed in Korea are within the acceptable range according to the standards issued by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). By using the manufacturer of herbal products as the standard for QC, the Pb, As, Cd, and Hg contents were investigated in the packaging process just before distribution to determine the actual conditions of residual heavy metals in herbal medicines. Thus, these result may contribute to monitoring the QC of herbal medicines distributed in Korea and could provide basic data for supplying safe herbal medicines to the public.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.50-56
• /
• 1998

A solvent sublation was studied for the determination of trace Cd, Co, Cu and Ni in water samples. Ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) was used as a complexing agent. Experimental conditions such as pH of solution, amounts of APDC, the type and amount of surfactant, the type of solvent, etc. were optimized for the effective sublation of analytes. After metal-PDC complexes were formed in sample solutions of pH 2.5, the precipitate-type complexes were floated in a flotation cell with an aid of sodium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant and by bubbling with nitrogen gas. The precipitates were dissolved and separated into the surface layer of methyl iso-butyl ketone (MIBK). The analytes preconcentrated were determined by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GF-AAS). Extractability of each element was 88% for Cd(Ⅱ), 86% for Co(Ⅱ), 95% for Cu(Ⅱ) and 76% for Ni(Ⅱ), respectively. And this procedure was applied to the analysis of real samples. From the recoveries of more than 92%, it was concluded that this method could be simple and applicable for the determination of trace elements in various water samples of a large volume.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.23 no.10
• /
• pp.1381-1391
• /
• 2002

The solvent sublation using ion pairs of metal-2-naphthoate(2-HNph) and tetrabutyl ammonium ($TBA^+$) ion has been studied for the concentration and determination of ultra trace Bi(III), In(III) and Tl(Ⅲ) ions in water samples. The partition coefficients ($K_p$) and the extraction percentages of 2-HNph and the ion pairs to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) were obtained as basic data. After the ion pair $TBA^+$·M$(Nph)_4^-$ was formed in water samples, the analytes were concentrated by the solvent sublation and the elements were determined by GF-AAS. The pH of the sample solution, the amount of the ligand and counter ion added and stirring time were optimized for the efficient formation of the ion pair. The type and amount of optimum surfactant, bubbling time with nitrogen and the type of solvent were investigated for the solvent sublation as well. 10.0 mL of 0.1 M 2-HNph and 2.0 mL of 0.1 M $TBA^+$ were added to a 1.0 L sample solution at pH 5.0. After 2.0 mL of 0.2%(w/v) Triton X-100 was added, the ion pairs were extracted into 20.0 mL MIBK in a flotation cell by bubbling. The analytes were determined by a calibration curve method with measured absorbances in MIBK, and the recovery was 80-120%.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.855-859
• /
• 2000

An application of synergistic solvent extraction for the etermination of trace lithium in sea water has been studied by forming an adduct complex of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in a solvent. The interference by major constituents in sea water was eliminated by phosphate precipitation. Ex-perimental conditions such as solution pH, concentrations of TTA and TOPO etc. were optimized in synthetic sea water with similar compositionto its natural counterpart. To eliminate the interference, 1.38g of ammoni-um dihydrogen phosphate and 2.5 mL of ammonia water were added into 100 mL of thediluted solution at $60^{\circ}C$ to form the phosphate precipitates of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. After the pH of this filtrate was adjusted to 8.0, 10.0 mL of m-xylene containing 0.1 M TTA and 0.05 M TOPO was added to the solution in a separatory funnel, and the solution was shaken vigorously for 20 minutes. The solvent was separated from the aqueous solution, and 20 uL of m-xylene solution was injected into a gaphite tube to measure the absorbance by GF-AAS. The detection limit was 0.42 ng/mL. Lithium was determined within the range of 146 to 221 ng/mLin Korean coast-al sea waters, and the recoveries in the spiked samples were 94 to 106%.