Rapid micromethod for blood lead analysis by anodic stripping voltammetry

We describe a rapid microscale procedure for blood lead determination by anodic stripping voltammetry. Results correlate well with those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The procedure involves use of a metal-exchange reagent, which rapidly releases bound lead from its macromolecular binding sites, thus eliminating a long and cumbersome perchloric acid digestion procedure. Reproducibility and analytical recovery of added lead were both excellent. Our results show that anodic stripping voltammetry is a reliable, sensitive micromethod for routine determination of blood lead.