Semi-automated determination of chromium in whole blood and serum by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Direct determination of normal and elevated levels of chromium in whole blood and serum can be achieved using Zeeman effect electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Whole blood and serum levels of chromium were determined for an apparently healthy population and whole blood chromium levels for renal dialysis patients. Blood and serum specimens were diluted with distilled deionized water and Triton X-100. The analyses were performed utilizing air as the alternate gas to facilitate ashing in one of the char steps. Within-run precision studies for whole blood chromium determinations gave relative SD values of 4.75 and 4.65% for 0.358 and 0.172 microgram/l, respectively. Within-run precision studies for the serum chromium analysis yield relative SD values of 5.26 and 2.67% for 0.156 and 0.300 microgram/l, respectively. Detection limits were 0.025 and 0.018 microgram/l for whole blood and serum, respectively. The mean chromium level found in whole blood and serum specimens from apparently normal individuals were 0.371 microgram/l (n = 37) and 0.130 microgram/l (n = 19), with ranges of 0.120-0.673 and 0.058-0.388 microgram/l, respectively.