Method Validation for Determination of Thallium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Monitoring of Various Foods in South Korea.

Yeon-Hee Kim,Kwang-Won Lee,Bokyung Soh,Wook-Jin Ra,Shinai Choi,Solyi Cho,Yongsung Joo

doi:10.3390/molecules26216729

Abstract

Thallium (Tl) is a rare element and one of the most harmful metals. This study validated an analytical method for determining Tl in foods by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on food matrices and calories. For six representative foods, the method’s correlation coefficient (R2) was above 0.999, and the method limit of detection (MLOD) was 0.0070–0.0498 μg kg−1, with accuracy ranging from 82.06% to 119.81% and precision within 10%. We investigated 304 various foods in the South Korean market, including agricultural, fishery, livestock, and processed foods. Tl above the MLOD level was detected in 148 samples and was less than 10 μg kg−1 in 98% of the samples. Comparing the Tl concentrations among food groups revealed that fisheries and animal products had higher Tl contents than cereals and vegetables. Tl exposure via food intake did not exceed the health guidance level.

Highlights

Since the industrial revolution, modern technological development and associated environmental pollution have increased the exposure to trace metals
Trueness was represented by certified reference material (CRM) (BCR-679, white cabbage)
Six representative foods were tested for accuracy and precision by adding standard solutions at low (0.1 μg kg−1), medium (0.5 μg kg−1), and high (1.0 μg kg−1) concentrations (Table S1)

Summary

Introduction

Modern technological development and associated environmental pollution have increased the exposure to trace metals. With novel applications in microelectronics, chemotherapies, and other emerging technologies, the toxicological significance of some uncommon or infrequently used metals has risen [1]. In this regard, thallium (Tl) is rare but is one of the most harmful metals. Gastroenteritis, polyneuropathy, and alopecia are three significant symptoms of Tl poisoning in humans [6]. The average lethal oral dose in adults has been estimated to be 10–15 mg kg−1 [7] If not treated, it generally takes 10–12 days to die, but there are reports of death within 8–10 h [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion