Determination of low concentrations of potentially toxic elements in humanliver from newborns and infants

One hundred and fifty-seven liver samples from newborns and infants who had died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or other known causes have b een analysed by ICP-MS for Ag, Cd, Co, Pb and Sb. The median concentrations found were: 15.4 (Ag), 2.9 (Cd), 15.9 (Co), 65.2 (Pb) and 1.8 (Sb) ng g(-1 ) wet mass. There was no measurable difference in the concentrations of any of these elements between the SIDS and non-SIDS groups. The validity of th e results was assessed by analysis of appropriate reference materials, inte rlaboratory comparison and isotope dilution analysis. The instrumental limi ts of detection were 0.25 (Ag), 0.14 (Cd), 0.21 (Co), 3.8 (Pb) and 0.38 (Sb ) ng g(-1) wet mass. The limits of detection of the method depend on the re agent blank and the extent of background contamination.