A rapid and precise system for lead determination in whole blood.

The paper describes a heated furnace atomic absorption method for determining lead in whole blood using an automated sample introduction system. It is direct and rapid. No sample pretreatment is required and up to 30 samples per hour can be analyzed. Precision and accuracy data are presented. The system has been applied to both macro (venipuncture) and micro (capillary) samples. The method uses physiologically-bound lead standards to compensate for matrix effects. It has been used in the screening of target populations and for confirming elevated blood lead levels in the California Department of Health Services Childhood Lead Program.