Simple mercury speciation analysis by CVG-ICP-MS following TMAH pre-treatment and microwave-assisted digestion

► Mercury and methylmercury were determined by cold vapor generation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. ► Tetramethylammoniumhydroxide was used for sample digestion and mercury cold vapor generation. ► Water and hair samples were analyzed for mercury and methylmercury by this simple and ultrasensitive method.