Determination of copper in fingernails by atomic absorption with the graphite furnace.

Two atomic absorption techniques, acid digestion followed by conventional flame analysis and directanalysisof solidsamples with the graphite furnace, were compared forthe determination of copper in fingernails. Nail samples, from 11 persons, containing between 5 and 50 1zg/gof copper, were analyzed by both methods. There was good correlationbetween resultsofthe two.The furnace requires less sample preparation, has good Sensitivity, and solid samples may be directlyanalyzed.