Flow-injection determination of lead by hydride generation and conductometric detection.

Plumbane produced from the lead analyte in a flow-injection manifold by reaction with sodium borohydride is passed through a porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane in a gas-diffusion cell. The hydride reacts with bromine in the acceptor stream resulting in ionization which is detected by conductivity measurement. Direct mixing of the carrier with a reagent stream yields a limit of detection of approximately 1 mg/L. An improved detection limit of about 200 microg/L can be achieved by the incorporation of an auxiliary stream containing persulphate as oxidizing agent. The application of the method to the determination of lead in road dust and soil samples is demonstrated.