Simple apparatus for trace analysis of toxic heavy metals. Determination of cadmium and lead by manual D.C. polarography.

A simple manual d.c. polarographic apparatus is described which can be assembled from ordinary laboratory equipment. The sensitivity of this apparatus can reach +/-0.5 mV in voltage and +/-0.005 muA in current. Using this set up, trace amounts of cadium and lead in foods and beverages can be determined at the ppm region.