A review of radiologically important trace elements in human bones

Area of Science:

• Biogeochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Human bones and teeth contain valuable data on minor and trace elements.
• Elemental composition analysis is crucial for understanding human health and environmental exposure.
• Existing reference materials may not fully represent the complex matrix of human hard tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile and review existing literature on minor and trace elements in human bones and teeth.
• To evaluate analytical methodologies and quality control for hard tissue analysis.
• To identify the need for improved reference materials in elemental analysis.

Main Methods:

• Literature compilation and review of published data.
• Evaluation of analytical techniques for elemental composition.
• Assessment of quality assurance and quality control protocols.

Main Results:

• Compilation of data on selected radiologically important elements (e.g., Cs, Pu, Ra, Sr, Th, U) in human calcified tissues from diverse geographical locations.
• Identification of variations in elemental composition across different populations and sample types.
• Evaluation of the suitability of current analytical methods and quality control measures.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive review of elemental data in human hard tissues was conducted.
• The study highlights the importance of accurate elemental analysis for radiological and health assessments.
• There is a clear need for novel reference materials that mimic bone matrix properties, including distinct cortical and trabecular segments, to enhance analytical accuracy.