A Method for the Measurement of Mercury in Human Whole Blood

Abstract

A method for measuring total mercury in human whole blood using Thermal Decomposition-Amalgamation/ Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (TDA/AAS) was developed and applied to a study of women that were fish consumers. This method has a limit of detection of 0.33 μg/L. The blood mercury concentrations measured ranged from 0.74 μg/L to 14.80 μg/L, with a mean of 3.36 μg/L. Accuracy was within 15% of the expected value at the lower concentrations and within 10% at higher concentrations. Some 560 analysis were completed in about three weeks and the mean error in precision was 1.8% when measured in duplicate. It was concluded that this method is viable for use in clinical settings, with the benefit of small sample volumes and minimal sample preparation.