Multi-element analysis of urine using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) — A practical application

Abstract

Objectives:The method for the determination of As, Al, Cd, Ni, Pb (toxic elements) and Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn (essential elements) in human urine by the use of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (quadrupole ICP-MS DRCe Elan, Perkin Elmer) with the dynamic reaction cell (DRC) was developed. Materials and Methods: The method has been applied for multi-element analysis of the urine of 16 non-exposed healthy volunteers and 27 workers employed in a copper smelter. The analysis was conducted after initial 10-fold dilution of the urine samples with 0,1% nitric acid. Rhodium was used as an internal standard. The method validation parameters such as detection limit, sensitivity, precision were described for all elements. Accuracy of the method was checked by the regular use of certified reference materials ClinCheck ® -Control Urine (Recipe) as well as by participation of the laboratory in the German External Quality Assessment Scheme (G-EQUAS). Results:The detection limits (D L 3s) of the applied method were 0.025, 0.007, 0.002, 0.004, 0.004, 0.086, 0.037, 0.009, 0.016, 0.008, 0.064 (μg/l) for Al, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn in urine, respectively. For each element linearity with correlation coefficient of at least 0.999 was determined. Spectral interferences from some of the ions were removed using DRC-e with addition of alternative gas: methane for cobalt, copper, cadmium, chromium, iron, manganese, nickel and rhodium, and oxygen for arsenic. Conclusions: The developed method allows to determine simultaneously eleven elements in the urine with low detection limits, high sensitivity and good accuracy. Moreover, the method is appropriate for the assessment of both environmental and occupational exposure.

Determination of toxic and essential trace elements in serum of healthy and hypothyroid respondents by ICP-MS: A chemometric approach for discrimination of hypothyroidism

“…A very low detection limit (ppt level) and high linear dynamic range of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) allow for the determination of many elements and even their isotopic distribution in a wide concentration range within the same analytical run [4]. However, one of the major disadvantages of ICP-MS is the occurrence of mass interferences having the same mass/charge (m/z) ratio as analyte [5].…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…Tobacco use and the number of dental amalgams were noted. Brodzka et al 27 analysed urine samples from 16 Polish subjects. Differences between male and female subjects were seen for Cu and Zn while Cd and Pb concentrations were higher in smokers.…”

“…27,64 These reports also include valuable data on reference values. 27,64 These reports also include valuable data on reference values.…”

“…The authors demonstrated that, in order to avoid memory effects, aqueous external calibration solutions, pipetted onto lter paper strips, had to be dried before placing in the graphite boats. It offered a more robust, higher throughput alternative to SF-ICP-MS. Brodzka et al 27 reported the development of a DRC-based ICP-MS method for the determination of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in urine. Slurry sampling of honey for ETAAS determination of Cd, Cr and Pb was described as a simple and low cost method.…”

Cloud Point Extraction and Determination of Trace Iron(III) in Urine Samples by Spectrophotometry and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

“…The previous literature review conducted to determine the iron element in various samples by using cloud point extraction method that is coupled with different techniques such as: flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) [12,15,16], UV-visible spectrophotometer [17,18], inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry [19], graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry [20] and capillary electrophoresis [21]. The urine has a pH of 5.5-7.0 and a range of 6.2 [22], while the concentration of iron element in the urine is estimated to be about the median and range concentration of iron in urine was 4.9 ng mL -1 and < 2.1-16.4 ng mL -1 [23][24][25][26]. The aim of this study was to develop simple spectrometric method for the determination of Fe(III), using benzidine as a complexing agent and cloud point extraction.…”