OBJECTIVETo establish a rapid, simple, and accurate method for measuring selenium in whole blood by atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

METHODSThe whole blood samples were treated by microwave digestion and the acids were dispelled. After that the samples were pretreated with 50% hydrochloric acid as a reducing agent. Then the content of selenium in the pretreated samples was measured by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

RESULTSThe calibration curve for selenium is linear in the range of 0~60 μg/L (r=0.9999). The detection limit, relative standard deviation, and recovery rate were 0.133 μg/L, 1.22%~2.08%, and 96.5%~101.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, with less consumption of chemical reagents, less pollution, and enough accuracy and sensitivity for determination of selenium in whole blood samples.