Scanning electron microscopy of microincenerated metal salts

ABSTRACT

The progressive increase in number of toxic metal salts has increased the opportunity to hazardous exposures. In the present study, the light microscopic microinceneration technique has been modified and simplified to be suitable for scanning electron microscopy. The toxic metal salts used were mercuric chloride, arsenic oxide, zinc phosphide and antimony trichloride 20 rats were classified into five groups; four groups were orally given the toxic metal salts while the fifth group was used as a control. Each rat was given the minimal lethal dose of a particular metal salt and then sacrificed. Gastric contents and liver tissues were gradually incenerated in a muffle furnace till 650C and after cooling the samples were gold coated and examined by scanning electron microscopy. The technique succeeded in visualization of metallic salts under a wide range of magnification. Each metal has a characteristic diagnostic appearance. The technique is simple, rapid and economic. It is recommended for use in both forensic cases and research studies