Analysis of lead in tooth enamel by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine the Pb/Ca ratios in the enamel of deciduous incisors, a biomarker of in utero Pb exposure, using pelletized bone certified reference materials (CRMs) as calibrants. The detection limit for Pb by LA-ICP-MS was 11 microg kg(-1) demonstrating an adequate sensitivity for Pb in the teeth of unexposed individuals (0.1-10 mg kg(-1)). The precision for the Pb/Ca ratios in NIST SRM 1486 Bone Meal was 3.4%. The correlation between Pb/Ca ratios obtained by LA-ICP-MS and those obtained by a digestion method was highly significant. We found one point calibration by a CRM was applicable for the quantification of Pb in tooth enamel. This method will be valuable for the assessment of in utero Pb exposure levels.
Uryu
Tsutomu
T
Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Yoshinaga
Jun
J
Yanagisawa
Yukio
Y
Endo
Masahiko
M
Takahashi
Junichi
J
D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002138:Calibration; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008963:Molar; D012015:Reference Standards
D007854:Lead; D002118:Calcium