Certification of lead concentration in standard reference materials by isotope dilution mass spectrometry

In response to needs for analytical standards by researchers studying the exposure of humans to lead, a wide variety of environmental and "food" Standard Reference Materials have been prepared and certified for lead as well as for many other elements. Among the food types are SRM 1571, Orchard Leaves, 45 ppm; SRM 1575, Pine Needles, 10.8 ppm; SRM 1573, Tomato Leaves, 6.3 ppm; SRM 1566, Oyster Tissue, 0.48 ppm; SRM 1577, Bovine Liver, 0.34 ppm; SRM 1568, Rice Flour, 0.045 ppm; and SRM 1567, Wheat Flour, 0.020 ppm. These materials, intended for use in calibrating instruments and methods, have been certified by a definitive method, isotope dilution mass spectrometry. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed and some suggestions for the use of its isotopic selectivity in the study of lead in the human environment are presented.