Reliability of low mass toenail samples as biomarkers of chronic metal exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Toenails are a promising matrix for chronic metal exposure assessment, but there are currently no standard methods for collection and analysis. Questions remain about sample mass requirements and the extent to which metals measured in this matrix are representative of chronic body burden.

Objective

This study proposes a method to maximize sample conservation for toenail metals analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We demonstrate the reliability of an ~25 mg toenail sample (typically 1-2 clippings) for metals analysis and evaluate the intra-individual variability of multiple metals in this matrix over time in men from the Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study.

Methods

Toenail samples from 123 GuLF Study participants were colle

SUBMITTER: Lin JJY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10709526 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature