Comparison of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques in the determination of platinum in urine: quadrupole vs. sector field.

In recent years the increasing use of platinum (Pt) both in medical and in industrial applications has caused its growing anthropogenic emission and spread in the environment. Pt is released into the atmosphere by exhaust catalytic converters, and Pt compounds are often used in antitumour therapies. As a consequence, significant amounts of Pt can be detected in hospital wastewaters.