Effect of ultrasound agitation on the release of heavy elements in Certified Reference Material of human hair (CRM BCR 397).

An ultrasonic-assisted leaching procedure was developed for the determination of heavy elements (As, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn) in Certified Reference Material of human hair (CRM 397) provided from the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) of the Commission of the European Community. Concentrated nitric acid-30% hydrogen peroxide (2 + 1) was used for the leaching method. The effects of different factors on acid leaching of elements, such as presonication time (without ultrasonic stirring), sonication or exposure time to ultrasound, and temperature of the ultrasonic bath have been investigated. Optimum values of these parameters were selected for the maximum extraction of heavy metals from CRM BCR 397 and human scalp hair samples of normal healthy males. To check the validity of the proposed method, a wet acid digestion method was used to obtain the total elemental concentration in CRM BCR 397 and scalp hair samples. Cu and Zn in leachate and digests were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using a conventional air/acetylene flame, while As, Cd, and Pd were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Under optimized conditions, the recovery for Zn, Cd, Pd, As, and Cu was 98, 98.5, 97.5, 98.2, and 95%, respectively, of those obtained with the wet acid digestion method.

Evaluation of toxic metals in biological samples (scalp hair, blood and urine) of steel mill workers by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

The determination of toxic metals in the biological samples of human beings is an important clinical screening procedure. This study aimed to assess the possible influence of environmental exposure on production workers (PW) and quality control workers (QCW) of a steel mill, all male subjects aged 25-55 years. In this investigation, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr were determined in biological samples (blood, urine and scalp hair samples) from these steel mill workers in relation to controlled unexposed healthy subjects of the same age group. After pre-treatment with nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide, the samples were digested via a microwave oven, and for comparison purposes, the same samples were digested by the conventional wet acid digestion method. The samples digested were subjected to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). To assess the reliability of these methods, critical factors, such as detection limit(s), calibration range(s), accuracy and precision, were studied. Quality control for these procedures was established with certified sample of human hair, urine and whole blood. The results indicate that the level of lead, cadmium and nickel in scalp hair, blood and urine samples were significantly higher in both groups of exposed workers (QW and PW) than those of the controls. The possible connection of these elements with the etiology of disease is discussed. The results also show the need for immediate improvements in workplace ventilation and industrial hygiene practices.