Zinc content of intravenous solutions

The zinc, copper, and selenium content of commonly used intravenous solutions, aminoacid solutions, and fresh-frozen plasma was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and fluorimetry. Very small amounts of copper and variable, but substantial, amounts zinc were present in all solutions tested. Zinc contamination could have come from the rubber stoppers for the glass bottles. Selenium could not be detected in any of the solutions. Fresh-frozen plasma contained high levels of zinc and physiological amounts of copper and selenium.