Evaluation of toxic metals in biological samples (scalp hair, blood and                 urine) of steel mill workers by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The determination of toxic metals in the biological samples of human beings is an important clinical screening procedure. This study aimed to assess the possible influence of environmental exposure on production workers (PW) and quality control workers (QCW) of a steel mill, all male subjects aged 25-55 years. In this investigation, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr were determined in biological samples (blood, urine and scalp hair samples) from these steel mill workers in relation to controlled unexposed healthy subjects of the same age group. After pre-treatment with nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide, the samples were digested via a microwave oven, and for comparison purposes, the same samples were digested by the conventional wet acid digestion method. The samples digested were subjected to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). To assess the reliability of these methods, critical factors, such as detection limit(s), calibration range(s), accuracy and precision, were studied. Quality control for these procedures was established with certified sample of human hair, urine and whole blood. The results indicate that the level of lead, cadmium and nickel in scalp hair, blood and urine samples were significantly higher in both groups of exposed workers (QW and PW) than those of the controls. The possible connection of these elements with the etiology of disease is discussed. The results also show the need for immediate improvements in workplace ventilation and industrial hygiene practices. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2006; 22: 381-393.

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Evaluation of arsenic, cobalt, copper and manganese in biological Samples of Steel mill workers by electrothermal atomic absorption Spectrometry

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1177/0748233709103036 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 59-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

HI Afridi ◽

TG Kazi ◽

NG Kazi ◽

MK Jamali ◽

MB Arain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Atomic Absorption ◽

Biological Samples ◽

Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Human Beings ◽

Acid Digestion ◽

Steel Mill ◽

Hair Samples

The determination of trace and toxic elements in biological samples (blood, urine and scalp hair samples) of human beings is an important clinical test. The aim of our present study was to determine the concentration of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn), in biological samples of male production workers (PW) and quality control workers (QW) of steel mill, with aged 25–55 years, to assess the possible influence of environmental exposure. For comparison purpose, the same biological samples of unexposed healthy males of same age group were collected as control subjects. The determination of all elements in biological samples was carried out by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. The accuracy of the As, Cu, Co and Mn measurements was tested by simultaneously analyzing certified reference materials (CRMs) and for comparative purposes conventional wet acid digestion method was used on the same CRMs. No significant differences were observed between the analytical results and the certified values, using both methods (paired t-test at P > 0.05). The results indicate that concentrations of As, Cu, Co and Mn in all three biological samples of the exposed workers (QW and PW) were significantly higher than those of the controls. The possible correlation of these elements with the etiology of different physiological disorders is discussed. The results were also demonstrated the need of attention for improvements in workplace, ventilation and industrial hygiene practices.

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Quality control in the speciation analysis of butyltin compounds in marine biological samples by hydride generation-cold trapping and on-line quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Applied Organometallic Chemistry ◽

10.1002/aoc.590080708 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 8 (7-8) ◽

pp. 595-600 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

F. Pannier ◽

A. Astruc ◽

M. Astruc

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Atomic Absorption ◽

Biological Samples ◽

Hydride Generation ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Speciation Analysis ◽

Marine Biological ◽

On Line ◽

Butyltin Compounds

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Effect of Ultrasound Agitation on the Release of Heavy Elements in Certified Reference Material of Human Hair (CRM BCR 397)

Journal of AOAC International ◽

10.1093/jaoac/89.5.1410 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 89 (5) ◽

pp. 1410-1416 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Tasneem G Kazi ◽

Hassan I Afridi ◽

Mohammad K Jamall ◽

Gul H Kazi ◽

Mohammad B Arain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Material ◽

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Atomic Absorption ◽

Human Hair ◽

Scalp Hair ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Heavy Elements ◽

Acid Digestion ◽

Digestion Method ◽

Hair Samples

Abstract An ultrasonic-assisted leaching procedure was developed for the determination of heavy elements (As, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn) in Certified Reference Material of human hair (CRM 397) provided from the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) of the Commission of the European Community. Concentrated nitric acid30% hydrogen peroxide (2 + 1) was used for the leaching method. The effects of different factors on acid leaching of elements, such as presonication time (without ultrasonic stirring), sonication or exposure time to ultrasound, and temperature of the ultrasonic bath have been investigated. Optimum values of these parameters were selected for the maximum extraction of heavy metals from CRM BCR 397 and human scalp hair samples of normal healthy males. To check the validity of the proposed method, a wet acid digestion method was used to obtain the total elemental concentration in CRM BCR 397 and scalp hair samples. Cu and Zn in leachate and digests were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using a conventional air/acetylene flame, while As, Cd, and Pd were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Under optimized conditions, the recovery for Zn, Cd, Pd, As, and Cu was 98, 98.5, 97.5, 98.2, and 95%, respectively, of those obtained with the wet acid digestion method.

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