Determinations of subnanomole elemental levels by NAA and their possible impact on human health related issues.
Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is an appropriate tool for the determination of trace elements in biological systems. The virtually blank-free NAA procedures fittingly complement precautions employed in sampling and sample preparation of biological matrices. Results from instrumental NAA procedures used to establish baseline values and time trends for elements in human tissues demonstrate the advantages as well as the limits of these procedures for nanomole and, in a considerable number of instances, subnanomole elemental levels. In addition, subnanomole mass fractions have been determined with extremely low limits of detection by employing NAA with radiochemical separations isolating very low levels of radioactivity from the matrix background. The elements reviewed in this article include Cr, Se, Pt, and others that have been determined by NAA at subnanomole levels in human tissues and body fluids and in biological macromolecules.
Zeisler
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Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8395, USA.
Greenberg
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RR
D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D014131:Trace Elements