A rapid and specific method for the determination of traces of thallium directly in urine by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

Summary The applicability of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry to the direct qualitative and quantitative analysis of thallium in urine has been investigated. Comparisons were made between the hanging mercury drop electrode and the mercury plated wax impregnated graphite electrode. The latter electrode was found to be somewhat more sensitive, with detection limits in the lower ppb range.For quantitative determination, the hanging mercury drop electrode showed better reproducibility. The effects of toxicologically important metals on the analysis of thallium were investigated and their possible interference could be eliminated by a proper choice of operating conditions. The advantages of the proposed method are its sensitivity, speed and low cost in comparison with other methods for detecting and measuring thallium.