Determination of Thirteen Trace and Toxic Elements in Urine Using Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry

Curr Protoc Toxicol. 2018 Nov;78(1):e58. doi: 10.1002/cptx.58. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Abstract

We developed and validated a method for the assessment of thirteen separate trace and toxic elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Included elements were as follows: aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium, tungsten, and lead. The measurements of all elements in urine samples were conducted using ICAP-Q ICP-MS in a single method. The performance characteristics of the assay were determined according to clinical laboratory standards. The assay was linear in the concentration range of 1.0 to 1000.0 µg/liter for all elements. The method was precise and accurate with limits of quantitation of 1 µg/liter for chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, cadmium, tungsten, and lead; 2 µg/liter for iron and arsenic; 5 µg/liter for aluminum; and 50 µg/liter for zinc. This method has successfully been used for the assessment of all thirteen elements included in urine and has been shown to be effective as a simple, precise, and sensitive analytical technique for biological monitoring of urine samples. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Keywords: ICAP-Q; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); toxic elements; trace elements; urine.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity
  • Metals, Heavy / urine*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Specimen Handling
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic
  • Trace Elements / toxicity
  • Trace Elements / urine*

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Trace Elements