Establishment and evaluation of a method for determination of total arsenic in urine by test-tube rapid digestion hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Objective To establish and evaluate a method for determination of total arsenic in urine by test-tube rapid digestion hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Methods After digestion of urine samples using graduated test-tube and graphite digestion apparatus, arsenic content in urine was determined with atomic fluorescence spectrometer. Then the test results were evaluated by using quality control measures, such as precision and accuracy experiments, and the results between different laboratories were reviewed and compared. Results The urinary arsenic was in a linear range of 0-0.300 mg/L, correlation coefficient (r) > 0.999 3, detection limit was 0.000 21 mg/L, relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤4.62% and the recoveries of standard addition were 93.9%-104.3%. The value of standard reference material measured was within the allowable range. The blind sample of the national urinary arsenic was qualified. Conclusions This method is suitable for large scale determination of urinary arsenic for its micro sample amount needed, less interference and strong practicability. The error results are in a controlled range. Key words: Arsenic; Urine; Hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry; Quality control; Graphite digestion apparatus