Applications of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry using a new pen-type renewed hanging mercury electrode have been investigated for trace analysis of lead in pharmaceutical substances and intermediates of their syntheses, such as procaine hydrochloride, 4-aminobenzoic acid, methyl 4-aminobenzoate, 2-(4-chlor-3-aminobenzoyl) benzoic acid, benzyl 2-naphthyl ether, 5-aminoisophthalic acid, 3-aminobenzoic acid, 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, and N, N'-dibenzylethylenediamine diacetate. Samples were dissolved in 1 M HCI or 1 M NaOH and the electrochemical scan was carried out. No sample mineralization was necessary. The method showed a good linearity up to 50-100 ppm Pb with a detection limit less than 100 ppb. The results agreed well, but were more precise than those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry using air/acetylene flame atomisation.
