Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry determination of aluminium in parenteral nutrition and its components.

Aluminium concentration in samples of total parenteral nutrition solutions and samples of their individual components were analysed to know the exposure to this element. The median aluminium content obtained for the total parenteral nutrition solutions was 105.7 microg/L; for their individual components, 10% calcium gluconate and 1M monopotasic phosphate were the most contaminated, as well as the 1M sodium bicarbonate. The great variability found in the aluminium content of solutions suggests that contamination occurs during the manufacturing process.