Liquid chromatography–laser-enhanced ionization spectrometry for the speciation of organolead compounds

Liquid chromatography (LC) and laser-enhanced ionization spectrometry (LEI) have been combined to provide a very sensitive method for the measurement of organolead species. Measurement is possible in environmental and biological matrices, which often contain high levels of easily ionized elements that normally interfere with LEI measurements. However, LC is able to resolve the interferents from the analytes, and LEI is sensitive enough to counterbalance the increase in detection limits that results from the use of LC. The method has been applied to the determination of organolead compounds in National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1566a, Oyster Tissue. Trace levels of trimethyllead were observed in the Oyster Tissue, but concentrations were variable among the samples tested.