Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element which impacts on biological systems and ecosystems. Because the toxicity of Hg species is highly dependent on their concentration levels and chemical forms, the sensitive identification of the chemical forms of Hg-i.e., Hg speciation-is of major significance in providing meaningful information about the sources of Hg exposure. In this study, a microfluidic-based device made of high-clarity poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was fabricated. Then, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2s) were attached to the treated channel\'s interior with the aid of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC). After coupling the nano-TiO2-coated microfluidic-based photocatalyst-assisted reduction device (the nano-TiO2-coated microfluidic-based PCARD) with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a selective and sensitive, hyphenated system for Hg speciation was established. Validation procedures demonstrated that the method could be satisfactorily applied to the determination of mercury ions (Hg2+) and methylmercury ions (CH3Hg+) in both human urine and water samples. Remarkably, the zeta potential measured clearly indicated that the PDADMAC-capped nano-TiO2s with a predominance of positive charges indeed provided a steady force for firm attachment to the negatively charged device channel. The cause of the durability of the nano-TiO2-coated microfluidic-based PCARD was clarified thus.

Marginalized communities experience barriers that can prevent soil monitoring efforts and knowledge transfer. To address this challenge, this study compared two analytical methods: portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF, less time, cost) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, \"gold standard\"). Surface soil samples were collected from residential sites in Arizona, USA (N = 124) and public areas in Troy, New York, USA (N = 33). Soil preparation differed between groups to account for community practice. Statistical calculations were conducted, paired t test, Bland-Altman plot, and a two-way ANOVA indicated no significant difference for As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations except for Ba in the t test. Iron, Ni, Cr, and K were statistically different for Arizona soils and V, Ni, Fe, and Al concentrations were statistically different for New York soils. Zinc was the only element with high R2 and low p value. Pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factors (EF), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were calculated for both methods using U.S. Geological Survey data. The PLI were > 1, indicating soil pollution in the two states. Between pXRF and ICP-MS, the Igeo and EF in Arizona had similar degree of contamination for most elements except Zn in garden and Pb in yard, respectively. For New York, the Igeo of As, Cu, and Zn differed by only one classification index between the two methods. The pXRF was reliable in determining As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn in impacted communities. Therefore, the pXRF can be a cost-effective alternative to using ICP-MS techniques to screen soil samples for several environmentally relevant contaminants to protect environmental public health.

OBJECTIVE: Trace elements (TEs) are ubiquitous. TE concentrations vary among individuals and countries, depending on factors such as living area, workplaces and diet. Deficit or excessive TEs concentrations have consequences on the proper functioning of human organism so their biomonitoring is important. The aim of this project was to provide reference values for TEs concentrations in the Swiss population.
METHODS: The 1,078 participants to the SKiPOGH cohort included in this study were aged 18-90 years. Their 24-h urine and/or plasma samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine 24 TEs concentrations: Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V and Zn. Statistical tests were performed to evaluate the influence of covariates (sex, age, BMI, smoking) on these results. Reference intervals for the Swiss adult population were also defined.
RESULTS: TEs concentrations were obtained for respectively 994 and 903 persons in plasma and urine matrices. It was possible to define percentiles of interest (P50 and P95) for almost all the TEs. Differences in TEs distribution between men and women were noticed in both matrices; age was also a cofactor.
CONCLUSIONS: This first Swiss biomonitoring of a large TEs-panel offers reference values in plasma and in urine for the Swiss population. The results obtained in this study were generally in line with clinical recommendations and comparable to levels reported in other population-based surveys.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) can lead to high or even toxic exposure to aluminum (Al). We aimed to quantify concentrations of Al and other chemical elements of all-in-one (AIO) PN admixtures for adults prepared from commercial multichamber bags (Olimel® 5.7%, Omegaflex® special, SmofKabiven®, all with and without electrolytes) and vitamin and trace element additives over a 48-h period. Secondly, we determined the level of Al contamination resulting from admixing and infusion set use.
We used dynamic reaction cell and kinetic energy discrimination inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify Al, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), tin (Sn), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) in AIO PN admixtures. We extracted samples for analysis via the bag injection ports and infusion sets over a 48-h period after admixing. We compared the measured Al concentrations of AIO PN admixtures with calculated values based on the measured concentrations of individual chamber contents and additives.
Mean (standard deviation) baseline Al concentrations in AIO PN admixtures ranged from 10.5 (0.5) to 59.3 (11.4) μg/L and decreased slightly over the 48 h (estimate [standard error] -0.09 [0.02] μg/L/hour, p <0.001). Thus, certain products exceeded the widely accepted limit of 25 μg/L. There was no significant difference in Al concentrations between samples extracted via the bag injection ports or infusion sets (p = 0.33), nor between measured and calculated Al concentrations of AIO PN admixtures (p = 0.91).
Because certain commercially available PN admixtures for adults proved to contain excessively high levels of Al in our study, regulations and corresponding quality requirements at the authority level (e.g., Pharmacopoeia and regulatory authorities) are urgently required. Our results showed that the PN handling process (admixing and supplementing additives) or the materials of the infusion set did not lead to additional Al contamination to any extent. Moreover, calculated Al concentrations of AIO PN admixtures derived from individual chamber contents and additives are valid.

Environmental Justice (EJ) communities may experience barriers that can prevent soil monitoring efforts and knowledge transfer. To address this gap, this study compared two analytical methods: portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (pXRF, less time and costs) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS, \"gold standard\"). Surface soil samples were collected from yards and gardens in three counties in Arizona, USA (N=124) and public areas in Troy, New York, USA (N=33). Statistical calculations, i.e., two-sample t-tests, Bland-Altman plots, and a two-way ANOVA indicated no significant difference for As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations except for Ba in the two-sample t-test. Iron, Ni, Cr, and K were statistically different for Arizona soils and V, Ni, Fe and Al concentrations were statistically different for New York soils. To assess the degree of contamination, a pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factors (EF), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were calculated for both methods using U.S. Geological Survey soils data. The PLI were >1, indicating pollution across the two states. Between pXRF and ICP-MS, the Igeo and EF in Arizona had similar degree of soil contamination for most elements except Zn in garden and Pb in yard, respectively. In New York, the Igeo of As, Cu, and Zn differed by an order of magnitude between the two methods. The results of this study demonstrate that pXRF is a reliable method for the inexpensive and rapid analysis of As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn. Thus, EJ communities may use pXRF to screen large numbers of soil samples for several environmentally relevant contaminants to protect environmental public health.

Rationale: A simple, sensitive, reliable, validated, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method for the determination of aluminium and magnesium using a simple common microwave-assisted digestion sample preparation technique for a few commonly used formulations was developed and validated according to International Conference on Harmonization Q3D and the United States Pharmacopeia general chapter <232> and <233>. The following pharmaceutical dosage forms were considered for estimation of aluminium and magnesium: Alumina, magnesia simethicone oral suspension, Alumina, magnesia simethicone chewable tablets, alumina and magnesia oral suspension, alumina and magnesium carbonate oral suspension. Methods: The methodology included optimizing a common microwave assisted digestion method, selecting the isotopes, choosing the measurement technique, and designating internal standards. The finalized microwave assisted procedure was a two-step program where in the first step the samples were ramped for 10 min to a temperature of 180 °C and hold for 5 min followed by ramping for 10 min to a temperature of 200 °C and hold for 10 min. Magnesium (24Mg) and aluminium (27Al) isotopes were finalized, internal standard assigned for both the isotopes was yttrium (89Y) with Helium (kinetic energy discrimination-KED) as the measuring mode. System suitability was run before initiating analysis to ensure that system performance was consistent. Results: Analytical validation parameters like specificity, linearity (from 25% to 200% of sample concentration), the detection limit and the limit of quantification were established. For all these dosage forms, the method\'s precision was demonstrated by analyzing the percentage relative standard deviation for six injections. Accuracy was established from 50% to 150% of instrument working concentration (J-levels) for aluminium and magnesium for all the formulations and was found to be within the range of 90-120%. Conclusion: This common analysis method, along with the common microwave-digestion technique applies to numerous types of matrices for a finished dosage form with aluminium and magnesium.

Aluminum enters the body primarily through diet or occupational exposure, and is cleared through urine. However, this trace element may accumulate and cause toxicity in subjects with renal insufficiency, and even in dialysis patients. The mechanism of aluminum toxicity is related to increased oxidative and inflammatory stress, iron and calcium dyshomeostasis, or cholinergic dysregulation, among other. A review was conducted on the specimens and analytical methods used to determine aluminum in biological specimens and dialysis water. This paper describes the most relevant aspects related to quality assurance. This is a practical guideline for the development and implementation of a reliable method for determination of aluminum in the clinical laboratory. Serum aluminum is the main biomarker of toxicity. For cases of chronic exposure, urine testing is recommended. At present, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is the gold-standard determination method, since it has been proven to have the best quantification limits, selectivity and robustness. Clear recommendations are provided in relation to the specimens used for aluminum determination. Relevant pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical considerations are also presented.

Environmental monitoring programs that target fish tissues for selenium (Se) analysis present unique sampling and analytical challenges. Selenium monitoring programs ideally focus on egg/ovary sampling but frequently sample multiple tissues with varying lipid content, often target small-bodied fish species because of their small home ranges, and require reporting in units of dry weight. In addition, there is a growing impetus for nonlethal tissue sampling in fish monitoring. As a result, Se monitoring programs often generate low-weight tissue samples of varying lipid content, which challenges analytical laboratories to quantify tissue Se concentrations accurately, precisely, and at desired detection limits. The objective of the present study was to stress-test some conventional analytical techniques used by commercial laboratories in terms of their ability to maintain data quality objectives (DQOs) in the face of sample weight constraints. Four laboratories analyzed blind a suite of identical samples, and data were compared against a priori DQOs for accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. Data quality tended to decrease with decreasing sample weight, particularly when samples were less than the minimum weights requested by the participating laboratories; however, effects of sample weight on data quality were not consistent among laboratories or tissue types. The present study has implications for accurately describing regulatory compliance in Se monitoring programs, highlighting some important considerations for achieving high data quality from low-weight samples. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2119-2129. © 2023 SETAC.

Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) concentrations are normally low in the water (<30 and 5 ng mL-1, respectively). However, we performed a direct analysis of 232Th, 234U, 235U and 238U in cenote water from the Yucatán Peninsula using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) as a rapid response technique to perform environmental radioactivity monitoring. Water samples were collected in 2021 from the cenotes and these were certificated by zones (PYNO, PYNE and PYSE) and monitoring depth [surface water (n = 52) and depth water (n = 48)]. Moreover, physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and temperature were measured in situ. Results obtained were total U and Th levels below permissible for human consumption. However, physicochemical parameters must be considered before use because it is outside the permissible limits in most cenotes. The median concentration value for 234U, 235U, 238U and 232Th in surface + depth water were 0.0001 ng mL-1, 0.0130 ng mL-1, 1.76 ng mL-1, and 0.062 ng mL-1, respectively. In addition, isotopic ratio of 235U/238U in surface + depth water was 0.00730. In addition, the PYNO zone showed a correlation between 232Th with EC and TDS. The PYSE zone showed a correlation between 232Th and temperature, and 235U/234U with pH, while PYEN did not show correlations. In conclusion, the first time evaluated U isotope concentrations and isotopic ratios of U and 232Th in cenote water from the Yucatán Peninsula, where U and Th concentrations were found below the permissible limits mentioned by guidelines for drinking-water quality. The average of 235U/238U is similar to isotopic ratios in \"natural\" water.

UNASSIGNED: evaluating the sodium content of staple foods is essential for implementing a salt reduction strategy. In Morocco, bread is a major contributor to sodium intake. However, currently few studies have been carried out to assess the salt content in bread. Our study aimed to estimate the sodium and salt content of white bread available in artisanal and industrial bakeries in the twelve regions of Morocco.
UNASSIGNED: it is a cross-sectional study of the sodium content of white bread available for sale in artisanal and industrial bakeries in Morocco (N=120). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the sodium content of the bread. The percentage of samples meeting the recommendations and bread contribution to the daily salt intake was calculated.
UNASSIGNED: the results of our study show that the mean levels of sodium and salt added to bread samples were 5.7 ± 1.5 g/Kg and 14.5 ± 3.7 g/Kg, respectively. With an average of 4.4 ± 0.5 g/Kg and 11.2 ± 1.2 g/Kg for artisanal bread and an average of 7.0 ± 0.8 g/Kg and 17.8 ± 2.1 g/Kg for industrial bread, respectively. Daily salt intake from bread consumption (500 g/d/person) is estimated at 5.6 g/d (52.8% of total salt intake) for artisanal bread and 8.9 g/d (84% of total salt intake) for industrial bread.
UNASSIGNED: bread salt content in Morocco exceeds the recommended threshold of the national federation of bakery and pastry and health authorities. Further efforts are necessary to increase knowledge and awareness of bakers and to teach them how to reduce salt content without affecting the flavor and the quality of their products.