Use of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to provide element versus time profiles in teeth

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been used to provide multielement profiles of heavy metals in various matrices. The use of laser ablation as a sample presentation step allows the direct determination of elements in solid samples. It also preserves the temporal axis present in the sample which is destroyed by the dissolution approach. Teeth contain such a temporal axis and are, therefore, ideal for study by this technique. They are of interest because they incorporate heavy metals, to which the organism is exposed, into the mineral phase during its formation. That metals are incorporated into the hydroxyapatite lattice during the time of environmental exposure has been confirmed by several studies. As in a previous study we have measured the trends in metal concentration on either side of the neonatal line i.e. in pre- and post-natal human enamel. Such data has value in providing information about exposure of an individual to metals in utero, i.e. via maternal transfer, and during subsequent lifetime via environmental exposure.