Simultaneous estimation of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury in biological material by neutron activation analysis.

Simultaneous determination of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury with high sensitivity is possible by neutron activation analysis. After irradiation, the samples are digested and an initial separation of the four elements made by means of an ion-exchange resin. The elements in the separated fractions are then treated to give radio-chemical purity, precipitated, and their activities measured. A purely instrumental technique for the analysis of zinc in samples of biological material is also described. The samples are irradiated for a week and after the activity has decayed for about three months it is measured on a gamma-spectrometer.