Abstract：Objective To develop the matrix-matched calibration curve correction-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of lead in blood. Methods Whole blood samples and blank whole blood were pretreated by direct dilution with a solution of 0.5% nitric acid and 0.01% TritonX-100 to obtain whole blood sample solutions and matrix-matched solvents at a 10-fold dilution. The mass concentration of lead was determined by using an ICP-MS instrument in He mode. 175Lu was added online as an internal standard. The standard working curve was calibrated with the matrix-matched solvent, and the mass concentration of lead in the whole blood samples was calculated based on the standard working curve. Recovery tests were performed on whole blood blind samples by spiking, and the relative standard deviation and average recovery rate were calculated. The accuracy and precision of this method were assessed by comparing it with the method recommended in the national standard in detection of lead in three types of bovine blood lead standard materials. Results Good linearity was shown for lead at 0.5 to 100.0 μg/L, with a correlation coefficient of 1.000. The detection limit of lead was 0.4 μg/L, and the quantitation limit was 1.3 μg/L. The relative standard deviations were 0.65% and 1.10%. The average recovery ranged from 96.89% to 99.73%. The lead determination results were all within the normal reference ranges specified by the three certified reference materials for bovine blood samples. Conclusion The matrix-matched calibration curve correction-ICP-MS is suitable for high-throughput determination of blood lead.
