ICP-MS determination of trace elements in serum samples of healthy subjects using different sample preparation methods

The concentration of some trace elements of clinical importance was studied in blood serum samples of healthy subjects (n=19, mean age 22 +/- 4.5 year s) to determine reference ranges for the healthy urban population in Easter n Hungary. A sample preparation method has been developed using closed-vess el microwave digestion with an oxidizing acid mixture (nitric acid and hydr ogen peroxide) for multielemental analysis and atmospheric wet digestion wi th the aqueous solution of trimethyl amine (TMAH) for the measurement of al uminum. Contamination of the samples with Al was observed during acidic mic rowave digestion because of the chemicals used. Trace element concentration s in the samples were measured with ICP-TIS. The reference ranges obtained were (in mug/L): Al 0.98-1.74, Cr 42.8-59.3, Mn 2.27-5.05, Fe 1282-2050, Co 0.22-0.88, Ni 0.03-16.33, Cu 691-1003, Zn 591-1217, Sr 30.37-47.37, Mo 0.7 3-1.19, Cd 0.02-0.62, and Pb 0.02-2.70. The results were compared to the re ference ranges actually used in the clinical practice, some of which are av ailable in the literature. The effect of the applied digestion methods on t he obtained individual results and average concentration ranges was also st udied.