Determination of Arsenic in Biological Material by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Method

A hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry method for arsenic determination in biological material was prepared. The samples were digested in muffle furnace at 550oC. The ash was dissolved in 4.5 N hydrochloric acid and the final solution was diluted in 10% hydrochloric acid. The arsenic was determined using a Perkin-Elmer atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with electrodeless discharge lamps at 193.7 nm and flow injection analysis system PerkinElmer Model FIAS 100. Aqueous solution of 0.3% sodium borohydride in 0.1% sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid as a carrier solution were used to reduce the analyte to its hydride form. The method was validated in terms of basic analytical parameters. The mean recoveries of arsenic was 95.50% for muscle and 104.10% for the liver, and analytical detection limits was 0.002 μg/g. Certified reference materials and participation in national and international proficiency studies were used for analytical quality assurance programme.