Determination of Trace Lead in Cigarette Paper by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

A reliable and simple method for the determination of lead in cigarette paper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry is reported. The cigarette paper was ashed with microwave ashing at 450 ºC. The ashes were dissolved in nitric acid and the lead in sample solution was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Under the optimum condition, the linear range for lead is 0.05-5.0 μg/mL. The detection limit reaches 0.02 μg/mL, when the samples were added with lead, the standard recoveries were ranged from 93-97 %. The relative standard derivation of overall intra-day variation was 2.6 % and the relative standard derivation of inter-day variation was 3.2 %. This method is simple, sensitive and accurate. It can be applied for determination of lead in cigarette paper with good results.