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Determination of toxic and essential elements in children's blood with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Ali Bazzi1, Jerome O Nriagu, Aaron M Linder

  • 1University of Michigan-Dearborn, Department of Natural Sciences, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491, USA. abazz@umd.umich.edu

Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM
|February 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study measured essential and toxic elements in South African children

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Low blood lead levels (<50 µg/L) may affect child neurobehavior.
  • Essential element deficiencies can increase lead toxicity.
  • Manganese compounds in gasoline necessitate monitoring of heavy metals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine blood concentrations of lead, manganese, and other elements in South African school children.
  • To assess potential toxic metal exposure and essential nutrient status.
  • To establish baseline data for pediatric heavy metal and element levels.

Main Methods:

  • Multi-element analysis of blood samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
  • Open digestion with nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide followed by dilution.
  • Validation using reference materials (Seronorm) and human blood samples.

Main Results:

  • Average blood lead: 56.4 µg/L; Arsenic: 1.53 µg/L; Manganese: 8.48 µg/L.
  • Cobalt, copper, selenium, and chromium levels were higher than in other studies.
  • Zinc levels were lower than previously reported.

Conclusions:

  • Blood lead levels were consistent with some lower reported values.
  • Arsenic and manganese levels were generally lower than literature values.
  • Observed variations in essential and toxic element concentrations highlight regional differences and potential health implications.

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