碰撞池ICP-MS直接测定全血中痕量金属元素的研究

目的：建立碰撞池ICP-MS直接测定全血中痕量有毒元素的准确分析方法.方法：采用0.1% Triton X-100＋0.1%HNO3＋200 μg/L Au对全血稀释20倍后直接用ICP-MS进行分析,并采用碰撞/反应池技术来消除质谱干扰.结果：整个方法的检出限为0.04～0.98 μg/L,精密度优于3.2%,回收率为95.0%～103%.对2个标准参考物质的分析结果令人满意.结论：可用ICP-MS直接测定全血液中的痕量有毒元素,整个方法具有简单、快速和准确的特点.     

碰撞池ICP-MS直接测定全血中有害痕量金属元素

目的:建立碰撞池ICP-MS直接测定血液中四种痕量有毒元素的准确分析方法。方法:采用0.1%TritonX-100+1%HNO3对血液稀释10倍后直接用ICP-MS进行分析,并采用碰撞/反应池技术来消除质谱干扰。结果:方法的检出限为0.20μg/L～0.52μg/L,精密度优于3.0%,回收率为94.0%～102%,标准参考物质的分析结果令人满意。结论:可用ICP-MS直接测定血液中的四种有害痕量金属元素,整个方法具有简单、快速和准确的特点。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定血清金属元素的方法学研究

[目的]建立电感耦合等离子体法(ICP-MS)直接稀释测定血清中金属元素的准确分析方法。[方法]采用0.1%Trition-X-100+0.5%NH4OH对血清稀释10倍后直接用ICP-MS进行分析,用Ge内标校正基体干扰和信号漂移,采用外标法进行仪器的工作曲线校准,碰撞池技术消除质谱干扰。[结果]方法的检出限为0.001～0.392μg/L,日内精密度优于5.0%,日间精密度优于15.0%,回收率为85.0%～115.0%,与AAS、AF比较分析结果令人满意。[结论]可用碰撞池ICP-MS直接稀释测定人血清中9种元素,该方法具有样品用量少、操作简便、污染少、多元素快速准确测定的优点。     

碰撞池ICP-MS法测定全血中铬元素

目的:建立全血样品中铬元素的电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)检测方法。方法:采用0.5%HNO3-0.01%曲拉通X-100体系对全血进行稀释10倍后,直接进行ICP-MS分析,选取Sc作为在线内标,并采用碰撞反应池(CCT)技术来消除铬元素的质谱干扰。结果:方法线性相关系数0.999,方法检出限为0.07μg/L,平均加标回收率在93.6%~96.8%,相对标准偏差小于3.44%。结论:ICP-MS法简便、快速、准确,适用于全血中铬元素的测定。     

人群尿液中铬元素的电感耦合等离子体-质谱快速测定法

目的采用碰撞/反应池电感耦合等离子体-质谱(ICP-MS)技术,建立快速测定人群中尿铬元素的分析方法。方法尿样经体积分数为0.5%的硝酸溶液稀释10倍后,直接采用ICP-MS分析方法进行分析,以钇元素为内标,并采用碰撞/反应池技术消除质谱干扰。结果方法的测定范围为0.20~10.00μg/L,相关系数为0.999 9,检出限为0.10μg/L,定量下限为0.33μg/L。平均回收率在97.00%~102.25%之间,批内、批间精密度均5.00%,样品在-20℃冰箱中至少可保存14 d。结论该方法各项指标均满足GBZ/T 210.5-2008《职业卫生标准制定指南第5部分:生物材料中化学物质的测定方法》的要求,适用于人群中尿铬元素的快速检测。     

碰撞池ICP-MS同时测定不锈钢容器浸泡液中Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb

目的:建立碰撞池电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)同时测定不锈钢容器浸泡液中Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb的准确分析方法。方法:不锈钢容器浸泡液直接用ICP-MS进行分析,采用基体匹配和混合内标法来消除基体干扰,碰撞池技术来消除质谱干扰。结果:方法的检出限为0.04μg/L～0.4μg/L,精密度优于2.0%,回收率为98.0%～101%,3个样品的分析结果和国家标准分析方法一致。结论:可用碰撞池ICP-MS同时测定测不锈钢容器浸泡液中Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb 5个金属元素,整个方法简单、快速并且准确。     

标准加入-碰撞/反应池技术ICP-MS法测定酱油中As的应用

目的探索标准加入-碰撞/反应池的电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定酱油中的As的方法。方法样品经20倍稀释后直接引入ICP-MS进行分析,采用在线内标法及碰撞池/反应池技术校正干扰。结果该方法能有效消除谱线干扰、基体干扰和物理干扰。等价背景浓度为0.66μg/L(He)和,0.50μg/L(O2)时,精密度优于5.6%,用加标回收考察准确性,As回收率在85.6%~106.5%之间。结论该方法简便,快速,准确,完全能够满足酱油中As的检测要求。     

碰撞池电感耦合等离子体质谱技术快速测定孕妇全血中的13种元素

目的分析孕妇全血中Ti、V、Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、As、Se、Sr、Cd、Sb、Tl、Pb共13种元素的电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)快速检测方法。方法使用含EDTA-K_2抗凝剂的采血管采集孕妇静脉血,全血样品经用0.01%曲拉通+1%硝酸混合液直接稀释后,以~(45)Sc、~(89)Y、~(115)In为内标,用人全血痕量元素标准物质样品进行质量控制,经电感耦合等离子体质谱仪测定,并用所建立的ICP-MS快速检测方法对60份孕妇血液样本进行了检测分析。结果在13种元素所对应的检测浓度范围内线性良好,待测元素的线性相关系数0.999 0,该方法检出限在0.001μg/L~3.8μg/L,方法回收率为87.1%~114.8%,对人全血痕量元素标准物质的分析结果均在证书值范围内。结论该方法操作简便,实用性强,结果可靠,可用于全血中13种元素分析的快速检测。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定全血中16种金属元素

目的建立电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)快速测定全血中16种金属元素。方法全血样品经0.1%Triton X-100和1%硝酸的混合溶液直接稀释后,采用89Y、209Bi作为在线内标,经ICP-MS,采用碰撞反应池技术同时快速分析全血中的铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)、铍(Be)、钡(Ba)、锰(Mn)、铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、钼(Mo)、钴(Co)、镍(Ni)、硒(Se)、砷(As)、锑(Sb)、钒(V)、银(Ag)、铬(Cr)含量。同时用全血痕量元素标准物质作质控样。结果该16种元素在对应的浓度范围内线性良好(相关系数均≥0.999 0),方法检出限为0.002μg/L~0.70μg/L,各元素的高、中、低3种浓度加标回收率为89.2%~113.5%,日间精密度为3.23%~10.96%,日内精密度为0.46%~9.29%。结论此方法简便、快速、准确,结果令人满意,适用于血液样品多种元素的分析测定,能满足生物样品的检测要求。     

八级杆碰撞反应池ICP-MS直接测定肝素钠中的32种元素

目的建立八级杆碰撞反应池(ORS)电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定肝素钠中B、Mg、Al、Ca、Co、Zn、Se、Ti、Ag、Fe、Sr、Si、Ba、K、P、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Hg、Pb、V、Mo、Sn、Sb、Ir、Pd、Pt、Ru和Rh共32种元素的分析方法,为肝素钠的质量监督提供科学方法。方法准确称取样品0.25 g,加入1%HCl+1%HNO3,超声溶解后,定容到10 ml,直接用八级杆碰撞反应池ICP-MS进行分析,测定过程中用Sc、Ge、In和Re混合内标消除非质谱干扰,用八级杆碰撞池技术来消除质谱干扰。结果本法的检出限除硅为2.0 mg/kg外,其他元素为0.01μg/kg~50μg/kg,相对标准偏差为0.2%~3.4%,回收率为93.5%~104.0%。结论可以采用八级杆碰撞反应池ICP-MS测定肝素钠中的32种元素,该方法简单、快速、准确、检出限低,适用于实验室日常分析。     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

Investigating clusters in the workplace and beyond

Clusters of disease are common and occur in the workplace and in the general community. They often arouse considerable concern among the population. Investigations have sometimes lead to exciting new knowledge, but in general the investigation of clusters is difficult and often unrewarding, especially for community clusters. In the workplace, investigations are more likely to find associations and even new causes, but still many clusters remain enigmatic. Despite this, there are many reasons for investigating clusters, including allaying community concern and identifying uncontrolled exposures. A structure for investigating clusters in the workplace is suggested.     

Assessing occupational and environmental exposure

Exposure assessment is a poorly understood component of the science of epidemiology. The relationship between exposure to chemicals and ill-health outcomes is often calculated using crude exposure measures such as ever/never exposed or duration. When investigating subtle effects, exposures need to be characterized much more fully in terms of intensity, frequency, duration and route. While occupational exposures tend to be much greater than those experienced from the wider environment there is a need to remember that, for many chemicals, exposure can occur occupationally, environmentally and through consumer use of products containing the material of interest. Inhalation exposure has generally been the traditional focus for most epidemiological investigations but there is now growing awareness of the importance of the dermal and ingested routes of contact and internalization. Quantification of the exposure also needs to be related to a biological mechanism of action and exposure metrics need to be selected accordingly. Occupational exposures can generally be measured using simple well-validated techniques. Environmental exposures require much more sensitive instruments and are more difficult to assess. Exposure modelling, particularly for the environmental fate of chemicals has undergone many recent developments and Monte Carlo techniques can be used to characterize model uncertainty and variability. This approach to exposure assessment can now be used in the setting of the wider environment and will enable a far better understanding of the relationship between exposure and disease.     

Mercury toxicity due to the smelting of placer gold recovered by mercury amalgam

A 19-year-old man developed tremor in both hands and fatigue after starting work at a placer gold mine where he was exposed to mercury-gold amalgam. Examination revealed an intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesis and mild rigidity. The 24-h urinary mercury concentration reached a peak of 715 nmol/l (143 ug/l) shortly before the clinical examination, after which he was removed from working in the gold room [Mercury No. Adverse Effect Level: 250 nmol/l (50 ug/l)]. On review 7 weeks later his tremor had almost resolved and the dysdiadochokinesis and rigidity had gone. The 24-h urinary mercury concentration had fallen to 160 nmol/l (32 ug/l). The principal exposure to mercury was considered to be the smelting of retorted gold with previously unrecognized residual mercury in it. The peak air concentration of mercury vapour during gold smelting was 0.533 mg/m3 (Mercury Vapour ACGIH TLV: 0.05 mg/m3 TWA). Several engineering and procedural controls were instituted. This episode occurred at another mine site, unrelated to Mount Isa Mines Limited.     

How Adults with Acquired Brain Damage Perceive Computer Training as a Rehabilitation Tool: A Focus-group Study

The aim of this study was to explore and describe how adult outpatients with acquired brain damage and referred to occupational therapy perceive computer training with the RehaCom programs, in order to evaluate the method of treatment as a tool in the rehabilitation of persons with cognitive disorders. By using focus-group discussions as a qualitative method of research when analysing the result, five themes with corresponding categories emerged, describing a development of understanding and learning about capacities. Themes describing how the participants could apply strategies to overcome shortcomings in daily occupations and the therapeutic role of the occupational therapist were identified as well. The result shows that a computer training program such as RehaCom can be used as an educational tool, for example, to guide a person who is trying to adopt compensatory strategies to avoid overload by taking pauses. It was found that anything the participants learned was also applicable to occupational performance in daily life.