Use of organophosphorus vapours as chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The use of the vapours of several organophosphorus liquids as chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is described. The best results were obtained when triethyl phosphite was used as the modifier. These vapours were found to stabilize cadmium to the same extent as a more traditional modifier but with a reduced possibility of contamination. The method was validated using certified reference materials (NIES Human Hair and Sargasso).