To establish a new method for the determination of lead in whole blood by graphite furnace atomic absorbance spectrometry(GFAAS). Methods After the protein in blood was removed by 800μl solution of 40ml/L nitric acid mixed with 6ml/L hydrogen peroxide and centrifugal separation, the whole blood lead was determined by GFAAS using Pd(NO₃)₂ (1g/L) as matrix modifier. Results The linear range was 0-100μg/L, the detection limit was 4μg/L, the RSD was 3.4%-9.1%, and the recovery was 88.1%-110.3%. Conclusion The method was satisfying and had been successfully applied to the determination of lead in whole blood.