Validation of Cadmium Determination in Polyethylene Reference Materials by Means of Solid Sampling Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Direct solid sampling Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometric (SS-ZAAS) method was
developed for validation of cadmium determination in polyethylene. Measurements were
performed by a third generation Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometer combined with an
automatic solid sampler. Applied on alternative wavelength (326.1 nm) the magnetic-3-fieldmeasurement mode extended the linear range of the calibration up to 2500 ng cadmium. High
analyte contents (up to 3500 ng Cd) were detectable without laborious dilution of solid samples.
Limit of detection was calculated to be 12 ng cadmium according to the 3σ-criterion, the
maximum sample weight was about 10 mg. The use of matrix-matched solid certified reference
materials (CRMs) allowed simple calibration and modifier-free determination of cadmium in
polyethylene resulting in high accuracy of the method.