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.
Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Tsutomu
T
Uryu
Jun
J
Yoshinaga
Yukio
Y
Yanagisawa
Masahiko
M
Endo
Junichi
J
Takahashi
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