A precise Pb isotope analytical method using a double-focusing MC-ICP-MS routinely yields Pb isotope ratio sample data with an external reproducibility of <170ppm.This is achieved by making(a)an isobaric overlap correction of ^<204>Hg on ^<204>Pb,(b)an external mass fractionation correction using ^<203>Tl/^<205>Tl,and(c)a mass-dependent mass fractionation conlection between Tl and Pb using a sample-standard bracket method.We also report that Pb isotope ratios are fractionated during the single column-single bead anion exchange procedure described in a previous report in this series,particularly if single bead Pb purification is used.If a sufficiently large volume of elutant(in this case >1 ml 6 NM HCl)is collected in the first column separation,there is no measurable fractionation of Pb isotopes.Single step Pb separation is suffcient for MC-ICP-MS,and consequently relatively rapid sample throughput is achievable,in combination with the rapid measurement possible with MC-ICP-MS(15 samples a day).