Determination of chromium and cobalt in human serum by neutron activation analysis.

Confusion exists about the chromium and cobalt concentrations in the serum of healthy individuals. We determined these elements by neutron activation analysis. The samples were irradiated during 12 days at a flux of approximately 10(14) neutrons.cm-2.s-1. Chromium was selectively separated by distillation after the irradiation. We obtained the following values (mean +/- standard deviation): 0.160 +/- 0.083 mug/liter for chromium, and 0.108 +/- 0.060 mug/liter for cobalt.