Atomic absorption spectrometry determination of six heavy metal and deleterious elements in Chinese herbs

Objective:To determine the content of six heavy metal and deleterious elements(Pb,Cd,As,Hg,Cu and Sb)in six Chinese herbs.Methods:Samples were digested with microwave digestion system,and the Pb,Cd,Sb were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GFAAS);the As was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy(HGAAS);the Hg was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy(CVAAS);the Cu was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry(FAAS)and examine the reproducibility and recovery of the method.Results:The recovery was 79.0%-125.8% ,RSD was 0.8%- 14.6%.Conclusions :The method is simple and accurate and can be used in the determination of heavy metal and deleterious elements in Chinese herbs.