Semiautomated analysis for mercury in whole blood, urine, and hair by on-stream generation of cold vapor.

In this method for quantitative determination of mercury in blood, urine, and hair, the specimen is first digested in a mixture of solid potassium permanganate and concentrated sulfuric acid. Excess oxidizing agent is reduced by hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The mercury liberated with stannous chloride is quantified by measuring its absorbance at 254 nm. This method shortens digestion time considerably and ensures accurate and reproducible results. Reagents must be free of mercury contamination; every new lot must be checked before use. This system can reliably accommodate as many as 30 specimens per hour and is suitable for use in laboratories that analyze a large number of biological specimens for total mercury.