Simultaneous determination of Cu, Cd and Pb in drinking-water using W-Coil AAS

An inexpensive, multi-element, W-coil atomic absorption spectrometer has been developed. Atomization occurs on W-coils extracted from commercially available slide projector bulbs. The system has minimal power requirements, 120 ACV and 15 A. A small, computer controlled CCD spectrometer is used as the detector. A multi-element Cu, Cd and Pb hollow cathode lamp is used as the source. 20 μl volumes are deposited on the coil and atomized at 6.7 A or approximately 2200°C. Cu, Cd and Pb were simultaneously determined in tap water, drinking water and a quality control sample. The instrument detection limits are 0.8, 0.2 and 3.0 μg/l for Cu, Cd and Pb, respectively.