Conclusion
Analysis of total arsenic in drinking water requires
the reduction of As(V) species to As(III) for accurate
quantification. We have found that the sample can be
prepared in 3M HCl and prereduced with 1% KI for
30 min at room temperature and then aspirated in the
instrument—AAS(VGA). Alternatively KI (10%) can
be mixed in sodium borohydride solution for use in
reduction channel and the sample prepared in 6M HCl
can be aspirated in the VGA directly. Thus using both
the methodologies analysis of arsenic can be performed
precisely and accurately at ppb level. While in the prereduction
method time could be saved, working with lower
acid concentration was possible in the latter methodology
when the sample was directly aspirated in the instrument
compared to what has been reported earlier