Objective: To establish a method for determination of plumbm (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in pericarpium trichosanthis

and the content of plumbm (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in pericarpium trichosanthis from 5 different origins were determined. Method: Microwave digestion was used to digest the samples and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was adopted for the content determination of Pb and Cd in samples. Result: The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.0-80.0 μg·L-1 for plumbum (r=0.999 1);the average recovery was 94.2%(n=5

RSD 1.4%). The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.0-10.0 μg·L-1 for cadmium (r=0.999 2);the average recovery was 94.0%(n=5

RSD 1.9%). The content of Pb and Cd was 0.814 and 0.057 mg·kg-1 (Anhui)

0.919 and 0.114 mg·kg-1 (Zhejiang)

0.989 and 0.120 mg·kg-1 (Hebei)

0.745 and 0.042 mg·kg-1 (Shandong)

1.244 and 0.089 mg·kg-1 (Jiangsu). Conclusion: Harmful heavy metals have been detected in pericarpium trichosanthis

which is in line with the limitation stated in the Green Trade Standard for Medicinal Plant and Preparations (Pb≤5.0 mg·kg-1

Cd ≤0.3 mg·kg-1). This method is simple

accurate and suitable for the determination of heavy metals in pericarpium trichosanthis.