An Improved X-Ray Spectrometric Method for the Determination of Bromide in Whole Blood of Workers Occupationally Exposed to Methyl Bromide

An X-ray spectrometric method using a sequential wavelength dispersive instrument is described for the analysis of bromide in whole blood from workers occupationally exposed to methyl bromide. The method involves the direct deposition of 100 IJL of whole blood onto filter paper discs. Calibration of the instrument is achieved using the standard addition technique for bromide concentrations up to 50 mg/L. Precision studies at concentrations of 6.1, 16.4, and 26.9 mg/L gave relative standard deviation values of 5.8, 4.1, and 2.8%, respectively. The detection limit for the method is 1.2 mg/L. X-ray spectrometry was chosen for this analysis because minimal sample preparation was required n comparison with other methodologies. X-ray spectrometric methods have involved ashing and deposition on filter paper (14), analysis of serum i