Aluminum determined in plasma and urine by atomic absorption spectroscopy with a transversely heated graphite atomizer furnace.

We compared a stabilized-temperature L'vov platform furnace containing an end-heated graphite atomizer (HGA) and transverse Zeeman background-correction system with a side-heated furnace system (transversely heated graphite atomizer; THGA) containing a longitudinal Zeeman background-correction system for the determination of aluminum in plasma and urine. The regression statistics for the correlation analysis of the two systems (slope coefficient = 0.995, intercept = -1.710, Sy/x = 0.021 micrograms/L) indicate that the systems generate comparable results. The newer technology of the THGA furnace with its more uniform and faster heating cycle allows a lower atomization temperature for aluminum, 2200 degrees C. Analyte carryover was significantly reduced in the THGA furnace system. The THGA system generates results equivalent to HGA in about one-third less time, thus making possible a greater throughput of samples in a busy laboratory.