Determination of beryllium, cadmium, and tellurium in animal tissues using electronically excited oxygen and atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A method using electronically excited oxygen for destruction of organic matter and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the determination of beryllium, cadmium and tellurium in animal tissues is presented. Samples are solubilized in dilute aqua regia after being subjected to an oxygen plasma, low-temperature (less than 190 degrees C) ashing system for 20 to 30 hours. Recovery data from spiked NBS freeze-dried bovine liver indicate a quantitative determination for the three elements. Limits of detection in micrograms of element per milliliter of solubilized sample solution are: beryllium, 0.05; cadmium 0.05; and tellurium, 0.50. Beryllium, cadmium, and tellurium assay data are reported for the fresh tissues of albino rats exposed to inorganic chemicals by oral or intraperitoneal routes. The tissues analyzed include: adrenal, brain, femur, heart, kidney, liver, lung, mesenteric lymph node, pancreas, prostate, seminal vesicle, spleen, testicle, and tracheal-bronchial lymph node.