EN
Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni and Fe content in ten grades of Polish-made beer was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cadmium, lead and nickel were determined by flame AAS using extraction with 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and with ammonium dithiocarbonate used as the complexing agent. The other elements were assayed by flame AAS directly in water phase. The average copper and zinc content was similar, 0.03-0.08 mg/dm3 and 0.02-0.10 mg/dm3, respectively. Manganese and iron concentrations were higher, ranging from 0.11 to 0.28 mg/dm3, and from 0.13 to 1.57 mg/dm3, respectively. Iron level in one beer grade was significantly higher than in other but did not exceed the permissible concentration. The average chromium and nickel levels were from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/dm3 and 0.007 to 0.028 mg/dm3. Lead and cadmium values were low, between 3.3-7.6 µg/dm3 and 0.7-1.4 µg/dm3, respectively. All values were substantially below the permissible limits specified in Polish Standards for beer and usually below the limits for drinking water.