Use of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) in screening for trace metal exposures in an industrial population.
A heterogeneous group of asymptomatic industrial workers potentially exposed to various toxic metals was screened for trace metal exposure. Each was examined and then completed an occupational health history questionnaire and had hair and blood samples analyzed for 10 metals via the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy technique. No industrial hygiene survey was performed. The concentrations of trace elements found in our cohort were comparable to previously published levels for nonoccupationally exposed groups. This finding is not unexpected in light of the nature of the population studied and the screening technique. The levels in blood and hair were not well correlated, and subsets of the population with high metal burdens could not be identified on the basis of self-reported occupational exposure histories.
Franzblau
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Rosenstock
L
L
Eaton
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006197:Hair / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D014131:Trace Elements