[Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and ICP mass spectrometry]

General analytical procedures for determination of trace elements in clinical samples (serum, urine, milk, organs and bone) by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are described. Minerals and major trace elements can be simultaneously determined only after 10-20 fold dilution, which is preceded by acid digestion in the case of solid sample, by ICP-AES. Elements of lower concentration range can be determined by ICP-MS but there are some analytical limitations. Reference values in these samples from Japanese, determined by ICP-AES, are also presented. Use of ICP-AES and ICP-MS for chemical speciation analysis is referred.