Ion-exchange separation of eight arsenic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV decomposition-hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry and stability tests for food treatment procedures.

A novel separation for cationic arsenic compounds on a polymer-based cation-exchange column was developed using an ion-pairing reagent (3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulphonic acid) in the mobile phase. An existing anion-exchange separation was used for anionic arsenic compounds. Combining both separation techniques, eight environmentally important arsenic compounds can be determined using on-line decomposition in a UV reactor prior to hydride generation (HG) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). The method was applied for testing the stability of arsenic compounds (in aqueous media) related to food treatment procedures. Boiling and microwave treatment gave no degradation, whereas gamma-irradiation and dry heating resulted in partial decomposition of several arsenic compounds. No health hazards are to be expected when these data are extrapolated to commercial or domestic food treatment procedures.