Analysis of lead in tooth enamel by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. |
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| Authors: | Tsutomu Uryu Jun Yoshinaga Yukio Yanagisawa Masahiko Endo Junichi Takahashi |
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| Affiliation: | Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. |
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| Abstract: | Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine the Pb/Ca ratios in the enamel of deciduous incisors, a biomarker of in utero Pb exposure, using pelletized bone certified reference materials (CRMs) as calibrants. The detection limit for Pb by LA-ICP-MS was 11 microg kg(-1) demonstrating an adequate sensitivity for Pb in the teeth of unexposed individuals (0.1-10 mg kg(-1)). The precision for the Pb/Ca ratios in NIST SRM 1486 Bone Meal was 3.4%. The correlation between Pb/Ca ratios obtained by LA-ICP-MS and those obtained by a digestion method was highly significant. We found one point calibration by a CRM was applicable for the quantification of Pb in tooth enamel. This method will be valuable for the assessment of in utero Pb exposure levels. |
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