Measurement of aluminium in clinical samples

Measurement of aluminium in clinical samples is important for the protection of patients with chronic renal failure, and for investigations of dementia. The types of specimen that need to be analysed include body fluids and tissues, dialysis fluids, water and foods and the concentrations that may be found can range from around 1 microgram/L to several mg/L. Although techniques must afford exceptional sensitivity they will also be susceptible to the effects of external contamination and it is imperative that those involved with the analysis, from sample collection through to the determination, ensure that precautions are taken to prevent undue addition of the metal. Of the methods that may be used ETAAS is clearly the most appropriate. Great care is required to achieve reliable performance but with experienced personnel very good results can be obtained. Regular reviews of recent analytical developments are presented in the Atomic Spectrometry Updates series and these are recommended to those who may wish to look for further information.