Suhaila Rahman, Nasir Khalid, Shujaat Ahmad, Nasim Ullah, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal.
Essential trace metals in human whole blood in relation to environment.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;43(2):46-51.

Levels of essential trace metals Cu, Zn, and Mg were determined in human whole blood samples. A simple, rapid and accurate method for the determination at trace levels based on Zeeman effect flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is described by optimizing various instrumental parameters such as fuel pressure and burner height. Except dilution with 0.02 N HNO3, no sample preparation is required thus permitting direct determination of metals with less chances of contamination. The method is quick and only 0.5 ml of sample is required for the determination of all the above mentioned elements so the method is applicable at diagnostic stage. The precision and accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing the same sample with different procedures as well as by the standard addition method. The method was successfully applied to one hundred and three blood samples of healthy volunteers of Rawalpindi / Islamabad area. Determined average concentration of Cu, Zn, and Mg was found to be 1.13, 8.36 and 38.2 mg l-1 respectively. The results obtained were compared with the reported values for other countries. Levels of these metals in air water and integrated human diet samples of the area were also determined and their contribution in whole blood was evaluated.

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