Diagnostic assay of trace lead in an ex vivo tissue using a combination electrode.

A voltametric diagnosis of trace lead was performed using macro type combination sensors of fluorine-doped graphite pencil electrodes (FPE). Two pencils were used as the reference and auxiliary instead of expensive Ag/AgCl standards and Pt counters. Under optimized conditions, a square wave (SW) stripping working curve was attained at 10-70 mg/L and a micro range of 10-70 μg/L. The developed sensor was not only inexpensive but also had a fast (90-s) accumulation time. An analytical detection limit of 10 μg/L was obtained. The results were applied to an ex vivo tissue and an artificial turf.