In an ETAAS method proposed by other authors (Vin
˜as et al., 1997), in which ammonium dihydrogenphosphate
modifier was also used, the LOD reported (1.4
ng ml1, using a 4% w/v solution of honey) was worse
than the one obtained in the present work. Perhaps,
the LOD improvement obtained may be related to the
use of a lower dry temperature, avoiding analyte losses
before the atomization step. Also, the optimization performed
using the experimental design ensured the best
determination conditions. Furthermore, these optimum
conditions avoided carbonaceous residues in the graphite
tube after the atomization process, increasing the
tubes useful lifetime.