Analysis of human materials by microwave induced plasma-mass spectrometry

When various kinds of element concentrations in human materials or environmental samples were analysed, microwave induced plasma-mass spectrometry (MIP-MS) was used for elements below ppm levels and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry for relatively high concentrations. First, standard materials of hair, serum and milk were analysed. In the hair material of the Bureau Communautaire Reference (BCR) CRM-397, which had the certified values of Cd, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn, our analytical results agreed well with the certified values. In the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) No. 13 Hair Material, which bad the certified values of Ca, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn, and the reference values of 12 elements, our results agreed well with the certified values, except Sb, for which our result was 1.38 times higher. Our results for Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn and Na were within 10% of the reference values. In the hair material of GBW-07601 prepared in China, which has the certified values of 39 elements and the information values of 23 elements, our analytical results of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Se, Sr, Ba, Bi, Mg, Na and Zn were within 10% of the certified values. In National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SRM-1598 Bovine Serum and NIST SRM-1549 Non-fat Milk Powder, our analytical values of Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Rb, Se and Zn in Bovine Serum, and Co, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Rb, Se and Zn in the Non-fat Milk Powder showed good agreement. It is interesting that the contents of the various elements in these materials may reflect the environments, living habits and other existing conditions of the countries producing the materials. When the results by MIP-MS were ascertained, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used. After evaluating the technical method, human hair, serum and milk samples were analysed. The analytical results are presented in the paper. (author)