Trace metal analysis of chromium and nickel in lung tissue fixed and stored in formalin.

In an attempt to answer the question whether the determination of chromium and nickel concentration in lung tissue, fixed and stored in formalin is still tolerable despite the related sources of error, the entire system (tissue, tissue abrasion, formalin, plastic container) was analysed by means of flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. It appears that such a procedure can be justified for practical purposes. In order to reduce possible errors, well defined rules are to be observed during specimen collection and processing and specialities have to be taken into account.