Multi-elemental determination of metals, metalloids and rare earth element concentrations in whole blood from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2009-2011

Abstract

Background: As part of Government of Canada's Chemical Management Plan, substances containing aluminum (Al), bismuth (Bi), cerium (Ce), chromium (Cr), germanium (Ge), lanthanum (La), lithium (Li), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), tellurium (Te), titanium (Ti) and yttrium (Y) were identified as priorities for risk assessment. Generating exposure estimates from all routes of exposure from multiple sources using a traditional approach for these elements can be challenging. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) data would allow for direct and more precise assessment of the internal concentrations from all routes and all sources of exposure. There are no Canadian or North American population-level whole blood HBM data for the elements listed above. Therefore, this is the first biomonitoring project carried out to determine the concentrations of these elements from a nationally representative sample of Canadians.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to generate whole blood concentrations for Al, Bi, Ce, Cr, Ge, La, Li. Nd, Pr, Te, Ti and Y in the Canadian population using biobank samples from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) cycle 2 (2009-2011) for use in characterizing exposure in screening assessments and for establishing baseline concentrations to determine how exposures are changing over time.

Methods: The sample analysis was conducted by ICP-MS. A rigorous quality control and quality assurance process was implemented in order to generate data with high accuracy and precision while measuring low concentrations and minimizing possible inadvertent contamination.

Results: Of the elements analysed, the whole blood concentrations (μg/L) of Al, Ce, Cr, Ge, La, Nd, Pr, Te, Ti and Y in the Canadian population aged 3-79 years were below their respective method reporting limit (MRL). Two elements, Bi and Li were detected in 5 % and 66 % of the Canadian population. The median Li concentration was 0.47 μg/L.

Conclusion: The results of this study provide information on concentrations of these elements in the Canadian population which can be utilized to characterize exposure in screening assessments and there by the potential for harm to human health. In addition, this study provides baseline HBM data which can be used as a comparative HBM dataset for other populations with similar exposure patterns.

Keywords: Biobank; Biomonitoring; ICP-MS; Trace elements.