Recent years have seen a growing interest in “green chemistry”. Unfortunately, analytical chemistry was, until recently, an exception [1].
Armenta et al. state that the main principles of green analytical chemistry “are to replace toxic reagents, to miniaturize and to automate methods, making it possible to reduce dramatically the amounts of reagents consumed and wastes generated, so reducing or avoiding side effects of analytical methods” [1].
We have previously published articles devoted to automation and miniaturisation of analytical procedures which describe a novel dual-valve sequential injection manifold (DV-SIA) for automated liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) [2] and [3], the application of ultrasound as a replacement for heating [4] and the development of novel dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) procedures for the determination of various analytes [5] and [6].
lthough elemental boron has only limited industrial uses, many of its compounds, boric acid and sodium salts of boron in particular, are commonly used in a variety of industries, including the production of herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers and the manufacture of glass, porcelain enamel, ceramic glazes and metal alloys [7], [8] and [9]. Argust [7] and Howe [10] reviewed the distribution [7] and effects of boron in the environment [10].
According to Kot [11], data on the physiological functions of boron are incomplete and frequently contradictory, and published data are both scarce and vague. He therefore reviewed the most current references on the sources, turnover and speciation of boron in the environment and boron's possible effects on human health. Based on evidence from various laboratories, Nielsen states that boron is a bioactive and beneficial element and that some higher animals require it to complete the life cycle [12].