A simple ICP‐MS procedure for the determination of total mercury in whole blood and urine

Abstract

A simple and sensitive procedure for total mercury in whole blood and urine using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. Specimens are prepared by precipitation-extraction with 50% v/v hydrochloric acid containing EDTA and cysteine, centrifuged, and filtered through fritended screening column; the filtrates are directly analyzed by ICP-MS. The method is linear between 2 and 200 micrograms/L in the specimen with an absolute sensitivity of 0.2 microgram/L in the final supernatant. The assay variability at various concentrations (microgram/L) of mercury are as follows: intra-assay whole blood (n = 20)-4.6 +/- 0.6 (c.v. 12.3%), 18.3 +/- 1.1 (c.v. 6.1%), 56.4 +/- 2.8 (c.v. 5.0%); inter-assay whole blood (n = 15)-5.7 +/- 1.0 (c.v. 16.8%), 19.7 +/- 2.7 (c.v. 13.5%), and 50.1 +/- 6.9 (c.v. 13.7%); urine (n = 20)-9.3 +/- 1.2 (c.v. 12.9%), 29.6 +/- 2.2 (c.v. 7.4%). Recovery of organic and inorganic mercury from blood samples ranges from 91.6% to 110.2%. The method is suitable for analysis of total mercury, both organic and inorganic, in whole blood and urine.

Colorimetric and Fluorimetric Assays to Quantitate Micromolar Concentrations of Transition Metals

“…Development of a rapid assay for the determination of nanomoles of several different metal ions would enhance the investigation of many biological problems, including features governing metal ion selectivity in proteins. Currently, the methods to rapidly measure nanomoles of first-row transition metals are limited and often require extensive sample preparation (7)(8)(9). Previous studies measuring the affinity of a protein for a range of metal ions relied on different assays for each metal ion, including radioactive assays (10), atomic absorption spectroscopy (8,11), or competition experiments with an easily measured metal ion (12)(13)(14).…”

A method for reliable quantification of mercury in occupational and environmental medical urine samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

“…Therefore, it seems reasonable to measure the most abundant isotopes 200 Hg (23.10% abundance) or 202 Hg (29.86% abundance). 16,21,24 Unfortunately, in occupational medicine tungsten (W) can be a toxicologically relevant parameter excreted via urine which causes polyatomic interferences for both isotopes ( 184 W 16 O and 186 W 16 O) even in He mode. 12 Lacking such interferences, we decided to use the isotope 201 Hg (13.18% abundance) for all measurements.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] In some protocols, certain amounts of modiers like potassium dichromate, gold chloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), cysteine and thiourea are added in various combinations to prevent volatilization and adsorption. [21][22][23][24][25] Nevertheless, extensive rinsing of the introduction system aer each sample remains necessary to avoid memory effects, 15,22,24 leading to prolonged acquisition times.…”

Epidemiological surveillance of employees in a mercury thermometer plant: An occupational health study

“…The ICP method for detection of mercury in urine is sensitive, with detection limits in the sub-ppb range. [4,5] The laboratory performing the ICP was a government approved one and followed appropriate internal and external quality control measures.…”