ABSTRACT
A substantial number of pharmaceutically and clinically related problems require the detection and determination of small amounts of metal ions and other inorganic constituents of biological and xenobiotic substances (1-3). Some obvious examples are the detections of heavy metals and lithium in biological fluids and tissue samples in cases of suspected intoxication and the determination of potassium for purposes of quality control in intravenous solutions to be given to cardiac patients. Trace amounts of nonmetals such as selenium and iodine, which are associated with the functions of coenzymes or hormones, also must be analyzed in order to determine their roles in metabolic pathways.
