The determination of cadmium in microgram amounts of pancreatic tissue by electrothermal atomic absorption spectometry

Cadmium was determined either by direct insertion of freeze-dried biological samples (1-13 μg) or by injection of 2-μl samples of perifusion medium into the graphite furnace. At 228.8 nm ≥ 10 fmol of cadmium could be measured. The endogenous cadmium contents in the endocrine and exocrine parts of the pancreas were 8.5 ± 2.0 and 15.1 ± 1.4 μ mol (dry wt.), respectively. A less sensitive wavelength (326.1 nm) was employed for measuring the larger amounts obtained after specimens had been incubated in the presence of cadmium.