[The direct determination of mercury in urine by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (author's transl)].

A method is described for the determination of mercury in urine by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The organically bound mercury is oxidized by treatment of the urine with KMnO4, followed by dilution with a mixture of HNO3 and H2SO4. The sample is then treated with NaBH4 to release the mercury vapor. This procedure measures total mercury (inorganic and organically bound) in the urine. The method was compared with the standard addition method and with the determination after wet digestion with concentrated HNO3. A good correlation was found between the three methods. Other organic and inorganic compounds present in urine do not interfere. Using 1 ml urine samples, the detection limit is 2 micrograms/l Hg. Sensitivity is also 2 micrograms/l Hg. Urinary mercury in a non-exposed population (30 men, 30 women) was found to be less than 4 micrograms/l Hg.