Determination of lead at physiological level in human biological materials using the total reflection X‐ray fluorescence analysis. (13th September 2016) - Kubala‐Kukuś, A.
Abstract : Total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis was applied in determination of low concentration of lead in samples of human biological materials. The determination of lead in human serum and hair samples is presented as an example. In serum samples, lead concentration was in the range from 0.013 to 0.051 μ g/g (median 0.024 μ g/g). The reference ranges of lead content in hair are from 1.41 to 4.08 μ g/g for men and from 1.18 to 3.29 μ g/g for women groups, respectively. Because of Pb concentration range close to the detection limit of the TXRF method, the measurement needed evaluation of the best analytical conditions. This paper presents the results of this evaluation, namely internal standard selection, measurement conditions, and quantitative calibration of the spectrometer. Finally, as a result of evaluation, the detection limit was found on the level 0.001 μ g/g (water solution) and about 0.005 μ g/g for human hair samples and 0.007 μ g/g for serum samples. The obtained values reach nearly the physiological lead level. The presented results are of practical importance for lead concentration studies in human biological materials using the TXRF method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.