Assessing arsenic and selenium in a single nail clipping using portable X-ray fluorescence

Fleming, David E.B.; Nader, Michel N.; Foran, Kelly A.; Groskopf, Craig; Reno, Michael C.; Ware, Chris S.; Tehrani, Mina W.; Guimarães, Diana; Parsons, Patrick J.

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.11.015

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…[16, 17] Calibrations based on weight have been proposed for use in XRF measurements of As, Se, Mn, Zn, and Cr. [14–16]. However, the toenail thickness will impact the signal and affect the minimum detection limit (MDL), as shown in previous calibration studies and confirmed in our results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…The minimum detection limits (MDL) are calculated based on the formula MDL=2*σ0m where 𝜎 0 is the standard deviation of the signal (square root of counts at 0 ppm) and 𝑚 is the slope of the regression between counts and ppm taken from a standard curve. [14, 17]…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[12, 13] XRF has been used previously for toenail measurements using different calibration procedures than those discussed here with good accuracy in comparison to other methods. [14–17] Thus, we evaluated the feasibility of using this portable XRF device, and more broadly XRF in general, to measure toenail clippings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ^,

et al. 2018

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ^,

et al. 2018

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“…X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technologies can provide an alternative to alleviate the problem of toenail sample size and costly analytical methods. [ 22 – 27 ] Portable XRF systems can be brought onto work sites, are less expensive for analysis than typical ICP-MS procedures, and measurements of a given participant can be completed in minutes. Importantly, the portable XRF raises the possibility of measuring the toenail in vivo without the need for clipping, which could greatly enhance data collection and reduce participant loss because of lack of sample for exposure assessment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior studies have investigated the use of XRF for manganese, arsenic, and selenium in toenails, but these studies were restricted to toenail clippings and did not attempt in vivo measurements. [ 22 – 25 ] We previously used phantom toenails to calibrate the portable XRF for use with in vivo measurements of manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg)[ 26 ], but this approach has not been tested on actual human in vivo toenails. The goal of this study was to evaluate and validate the use of portable XRF in vivo measurements (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of in vivo toenail measurements of manganese and mercury using a portable X-ray fluorescence device

Specht

Zhang

Young

et al. 2021

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Background and Objective: Toenail metal concentrations can be used as an effective biomarker for exposure to environmental toxicants. Typically toenail clippings are measured ex vivo using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) toenail metal measurements done on intact toenails in vivo could be used as an alternative to alleviate some of the disadvantages of ICP-MS. In this study, we assessed the ability of using XRF to measure toenail metal concentrations in real time without having to clip the toenails (i.e. in vivo ) in two occupational settings for exposure assessment of manganese and mercury. Materials and Methods: The portable XRF method used a 3-minute in vivo measurement of toenails prior to clipping and was assessed against ICP-MS measurement of toenail clippings taken immediately after the XRF measurement and work history for a group of welders (n=16) assessed for manganese exposure and nail salon workers (n=10) assessed for mercury exposure. Results and Conclusions: We identified that in vivo XRF metal measurements were able to discern exposure to manganese in welders and mercury in nail salon workers. We identified significant positive correlations between ICP-MS of clippings and in vivo XRF measures of both toenail manganese (R= 0.59, p=0.02) and mercury (R= 0.74, p<0.001), as well as between in vivo XRF toenail manganese and work history among the welders (R=0.55, p=0.03). We identified in vivo XRF detection limits to be 0.5 μg/g for mercury and 2.6 μg/g for manganese. Further work should elucidate differences in timing of exposure using the in vivo XRF method over toenail clippings and modification of measurement time and x-ray setting to further decrease the detection limit. In vivo portable XRF measurements can be used to effectively measure toenail Mn and Hg in occupational participants in real time during study visits and at a fraction of the cost.

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The measurement of trace elements in human nails and nail clippings using portable X‐ray fluorescence: A review

Fleming

2021

X-Ray Spectrometry

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The copyright line for this article was changed on 24 June 2021 after original online publication.A variety of biomarkers are available for the assessment of human exposure to, and absorption of, trace elements. The measurement of trace elements in nail or nail clippings offers some benefits relative to other body sites. Typically, concentrations of elements are assessed in clippings, using high precision methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or instrumental neutron activation analysis. Over the last decade, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) has emerged as a novel method with potential advantages for the measurement of trace elements in nail and nail clippings. This review paper examines early developments and recent work in the use of pXRF to measure elements such as As, Se, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Hg in nails and nail clippings. While initial pXRF studies were limited to the use of nail phantoms and nail clipping phantoms, more recent work has applied the pXRF method with real nail clippings and nails. Results have been promising, but a number of issues have emerged requiring additional attention. These relate to the analysis of X-ray spectra, selection of X-ray beam for excitation, method validation and normalization, and practical aspects of study design. With consideration of these issues, pXRF offers significant potential to provide a straightforward, economical, and rapid measurement approach to help improve our understanding of trace element exposure and related health outcomes.

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Assessing arsenic and selenium in a single nail clipping using portable X-ray fluorescence

Cited by 18 publications

References 21 publications

Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ^,

Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ^,

Validation of in vivo toenail measurements of manganese and mercury using a portable X-ray fluorescence device

The measurement of trace elements in human nails and nail clippings using portable X‐ray fluorescence: A review

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Assessing arsenic and selenium in a single nail clipping using portable X-ray fluorescence

Cited by 18 publications

References 21 publications

Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ,

Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ,

Validation of in vivo toenail measurements of manganese and mercury using a portable X-ray fluorescence device

The measurement of trace elements in human nails and nail clippings using portable X‐ray fluorescence: A review

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Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ^,

Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population ^,