BACKGROUND Older subjects have a high risk of developing zinc and copper deficiencies. AIM To determine the prevalence of copper and zinc deficiencies in adults aged over 60 years, living in Metropolitan Santiago. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Analyses were performed using anonymous serum samples from older subjects living in Santiago, Chile, who participated in the multicenter project SABE. Of the ...

Now that the level of concern for a toxic blood lead concentration is 0.482 mumol/L (10 micrograms/dL), laboratories must meet new requirements to shorten analysis times and increase accuracy and precision of blood lead determinations. We used a matrix-matching method to estimate the lead concentration in blood by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). For CDC proficiency samp...

abstract: An analytical method validation represents a complete investigation of the materials’ properties, following certain steps, being necessary for “proving the fit for purpose of an analytical method”. The validation procedure demonstrate that a defined validation protocol for an analytical method applied to a specified testing material and a defined concentration of the analyt – named an...

A microsampling cup procedure is described for rapid, precise determination of copper in plasma. Conventional Delves-cup atomic absorption spectrometry does not yield usable copper signals with blood plasma samples. Analytical sensitivity was improved 11-fold by use of cups fitted with an axial hole, a triangular cup-holding loop, and a smaller-bore absorption tube. The modified procedure yield...

Hair samples continue to be used extensively for biomonitoring of mercury (Hg) exposure. Routine methods require a bundle of 100-150 hair strands and involve chemical digestion. Recently, Hg analyzers that combine combustion, gold amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectrometry (C-GA-AAS) became commercially available. This method was shown to provide quick and sensitive measurements in solid ...

Light trapping is of very high importance for silicon photovoltaics (PV) and especially for thin-film silicon solar cells. In this paper we investigate and compare theoretically the light trapping properties of periodic and stochastic structures having similar geometrical features. The theoretical investigations are based on the actual surface geometry of a scattering structure, characterized b...

Concentrations of five heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, As and Hg) in eight highly consumed cultured fish species (Labeo rohita, Clarias gariepinus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cyprinus capio, Puntius sarana, Oreochromis mossambicus, Pangasius pangasius and Anabas testudineus) collected from four wholesale markets of Dhaka city, Bangladesh (Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Town Hall, Newmarket and Mirpur-1)...

This simple, rapid, sensitive, reliable, and economical assay for bismuth in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine is based on atomic absorption spectrophotometry with hydride generation. Acid digestion eliminates the problem of foaming, which hitherto has complicated such assay of bismuth in plasma and erythrocytes. The detection limit of the assay has been improved to 0.1 micrograms/L, as compared ...

Blood and urine aluminium concentrations were studied in industrially exposed workers using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Welders and workers making aluminium powder and aluminium sulphate had higher concentrations in blood and urine than non-exposed referents. Workers in the electrolytic production of aluminium had higher urine but not blood concentrations than the referents. ...