电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定水中砷的方法改进

目的对电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定水中砷存在的影响因素进行改进,为水中砷的准确定量提供新方法。方法样品直接用碰撞反应池电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)进行测定分析。用钇(89Y)内标校正基体干扰和漂移,用高性能Xs接口降低非质谱干扰,用碰撞反应池技术(CRCT模式)消除质谱干扰。结果方法的标准曲线最佳线性范围:0～20μg/L,相关系数为0.9999。方法检出限0.064μg/L,最低检出浓度为0.19μg/L,相对标准偏差1.4%～4.0%,回收率为95.7%～104.0%。分析2个标准参考物质,结果在标准范围内。结论此方法检出限低、简便、快速、准确,能用于水中砷的准确测定。     

碰撞池ICP-MS同时测定婴幼儿奶粉中的常量、微量和痕量元素

目的:建立碰撞池电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)同时测定婴幼儿奶粉中常量元素K、Na、Mg、Ca,微量元素Cu和Zn以及痕量元素As和Pb的分析方法。方法:样品经微波消化后用ICP-MS进行分析,采用混合内标法技术来消除基体干扰,碰撞池技术来消除质谱干扰。结果:方法的检出限为0.001 mg/kg～1.2 mg/kg,精密度优于3.5%,回收率为95.0%～103%,标准参考物质的分析结果令人满意。结论:可用ICP-MS同时测定婴幼儿奶粉中常量、微量和痕量元素,整个方法简单、快速并且准确。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱在面制食品铝含量测定中的应用

目的研究电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)测定面制食品中铝含量的方法。方法采用微波消解技术对油条和馒头样本进行前处理,完善样品前处理条件,优化仪器工作参数,并以钪(45Sc)为内标元素消除非质谱干扰,以氦气为碰撞反应气消除质谱干扰。结果在经过优化的实验条件下,ICP-MS法的检出限为0.025mg/kg,标准曲线的回归系数为0.999 9,加标回收率为91%~104%。结论 ICP-MS法适用于面制食品中铝含量的测定,具有简单、快速、准确等优点。     

ICP—MS法碰撞／反应池技术测定螺旋藻中砷、铅、镉含量的方法研究

目的建立螺旋藻中砷、铅、镉含量的八极杆碰撞／反应池电感耦合等离子体质谱（ORS—ICP—MS）测定方法。方法样品经HNO3＋H2O2微波消解体系消解后，用八级杆碰撞／反应池电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定砷、铅、镉含量。结果砷、铅、镉的检出限分别为0．01、0．02、0．003mg／kg；线性良好，线性相关系数均≥0．999；重现性好，变异系统RSD〈8％；准确度高，用国家一级标准参考物贻贝（GBW08571）、茶叶（GBW07605）标样质控，分析结果与标准值吻合。结论本法快速灵敏，精密度及准确度均符合要求，结果令人满意。     

微波消解等离子体质谱法测定各类食品中痕量汞、镉、铅、砷准确性探讨

目的 建立微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）准确测定各类食品中痕量汞、镉、铅、砷的分析方法。方法 采用微波消解法处理样品,ICP-MS测定以^72Ge、^103Rh、^185Re作为内标消除非质谱干扰,八极杆碰撞池（ORS^3）消除质谱干扰。结果 采用本方法测定汞、镉、铅、砷的定量限分别为0.05、0.05、0.40、0.40μg/L;在定量限附近测定的回收率和相对标准偏差分别为：100.0%、90.0%、96.0%、112.0%和7.6%、8.0%、11.8%、6.2%。结论 采用ICP-MS法准确测定食品中痕量有害元素的关键点及控制措施,适用于食品安全风险监测大批量样品的分析。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法快速测定胶囊中铬的含量

目的采用动态反应池-电感耦合等离子体质谱技术,建立快速测定胶囊中铬的分析方法。方法预消化-微波消解处理胶囊样品,采用动态反应池模式消除干扰,选择反应气NH3,流速为0.6ml/min,Rpq为0.55,将可能干扰铬测定的40Ar12C+、37Cl16O+等离子强度值降低了大约2个数量级。结果铬元素测定标准曲线的线性相关系数为0.9996,以称样量0.5g计,方法检出限为0.03mg/kg,样品加标回收率为86.5%～107.8%,相对标准偏差<5%。结论该方法精密度好、准确性好,适用于胶囊中铬含量的快速、准确测定。     

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。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定藻类食品中12种元素

目的建立藻类食品中多元素的电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)分析方法。方法样品经微波消解后,采用-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定铅、镉、砷、铬、镍、铜、硒、钒、锰、锂、锑和钡12种元素。结果本实验除镉浓度在0.05μg/L～5.00μg/L内,其他11种元素在0.5μg/L～300μg/L,线性关系良好(相关系数均在0.999以上),检出限在0.003 0 mg/kg～0.015 mg/kg,定量限在0.010 mg/kg～0.050 mg/kg,回收率在85.0%～100%,RSD5.0%。将紫菜标准物质GBW 10023和实际样品用微波消解后,检测结果基本一致,均与证书参考值吻合。结论该方法前处理简单,分析速度快,精密度高,准确度好,检出限低,可以满足藻类食品中12种元素的分析要求。     

面制食品中铝含量的ICP-AES测定方法

目的建立检测面制品中铝含量的电感耦合等离子体发射光谱方法。方法采用干法灰化样品,在酸性条件下溶解残渣或用微波湿法消解样品,定容制成试样溶液。采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法对样品中铝元素的含量进行测定。结果方法最低检出限为0.020μg/ml;方法定量限为0.10μg/ml;样品最低检出浓度为2.5mg/kg;在0.2～50.0μg/ml范围内呈线性关系,相关系数r=0.9998;回收率在96.0%～102.5%之间;测定结果相对标准偏差为1.3%。结论该方法操作简便,快速,准确,干扰小,检出限低,适用于测定面制食品中铝含量。     

快速湿法消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定紫菜中铅、砷、汞、镉含量

目的建立测定紫菜中的铅、砷、汞、镉含量的快速湿法消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱测定方法。方法紫菜样品用硝酸在石墨消解仪上120℃消解30 min,冷却后用去离子水定容。采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定紫菜样品中的铅、砷、汞、镉的含量。结果将紫菜标准物质(GBW 10023)和实际样品用快速湿法消解和微波消解法进行消解,检测结果基本一致,均与证书参考值吻合。本实验铅、砷、镉在0μg/L～30μg/L,汞在0μg/L～5μg/L时,线性关系良好(相关系数为0. 999 6～1. 000 0),检出限为0. 002 6 mg/kg～0. 047 mg/kg,相对标准偏差为2. 5%～7. 3%。结论快速湿法消解简化了前处理操作流程,最大程度上提高了前处理的工作效率,更适合于大批量样品的前处理。快速湿法消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时具有操作简便、快速、结果可靠等优点,适合于紫菜中铅、砷、汞、镉的快速检测。     

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.