The Determination of Lead and Cadmium in Tobacco Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Dithiocarbamate Derivitization

A reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed that is capable of resolving lead and cadmium diethyldithiocarbamate complexes. The method does not require the presence of hazardous solvents to optimize peak shape and resolution; the mobile phase consists of methanol, water, and a surfactant. Tobacco samples were chemically oxidized and reacted with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate reagent prior to analysis using the HPLC method. The lead diethyldithiocarbamate determination was compromised by the presence of a significant interference in the analysis; lead determinations in 10 foreign and domestic tobacco samples ranged from 27.14 to 134.84 mug/g. The cadmium diethyldithiocarbamate determination was not adversely affected by interferences. Cadmium determinations in 10 foreign and domestic tobacco samples ranged from 0.89 to 6.96 mug/g. The tobacco samples were also analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Foreign tobacco brands that contained clove as a spice showed lower levels of cadmium and lead.