title: Multielement determination of metals in biological specimens of hard metal workers: a study carried out by neutron activation analysis.
abstract: Multielemental analysis, using neutron activation, was carried out on the urine, whole blood, pubic hair and toenails of thirty subjects occupationally exposed to hard metal dusts. A high concentration of Co, W and Cr was observed in all samples analysed. The concentrations determined, when subjected to statistical analysis using pattern recognition techniques (e.g. cluster analysis), indicated a positive correlation, at p = 0.001, for the pair (Co, W) in urine and blood, as well as a possible influence of Cr on this pair.
authors.affiliation: Commission of the European Communities, Joint Research Centre--Ispra Establishment, Radiochemistry Division, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicolaou
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pietra
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabbioni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mosconi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cassina
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seghizzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D003035:Cobalt / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000378:metabolism; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014034:Toes; D014414:Tungsten / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt; D014414:Tungsten