Optimización y validación metodológica de la cuantificación de arsénico por inyección en flujo-generación de hidruros- espectrometría de absorción atómicas (IF-GH-EAA) previa derivatizacíon con L-Cisteína

arsenic (as) is a natural contaminant that affects a large area of argentina. quantification of as in drinking water has been used to evaluate the source of exposure and as in urine to assess exposure to this toxic. this study aimed to optimize and validate a methodological technique for the quantification of as [as sum = inorganic as (asi) + methylated species: monometilarsonic acid (mma) and dimetilarsinic acid (dma)], product of asi metabolism by flow injectionhydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (fi-gh-aas), after derivatization with l-cysteine. the recovery of the studied species: asi (asiii and asv), mma and dma was close to 100% in all cases. the limits of detection and quantitation were found for water and urine: 2 and 3 μg/l; 5 and 8 μg/l respectively and a linear working range from 5 to 75 μg/l, allowing quantify as in water close to international standards of maximum as values for drinking water and urine samples with levels comparables with those found in people non exposed ocupacionally . this methodology is a valid alternative for assessing exposure to as in water and urine samples without the need of prolonged pre-treatment sample, more quickly and inexpensively.