Metallic Profile of Whole Blood and Plasma in a Series of 106 Healthy Volunteers

In 2003, we simultaneously quantified 27 metals by inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry (ICPMS) in the whole blood, plasma and urine of 100 healthy volunteers. We again determined the metallic profile in whole blood and plasma during 2012. ICPMS validated multielementary method was performed for metals in whole blood and plasma. Whole blood vanadium and chromium were quantified using ICPMS collision cell technology. The aims of the study were to compare and assess any changes in this profile, particularly due to the environment. Healthy male/female staff volunteers (n 106) with no professional exposure to metals, or medication containing lithium, strontium; or food supplements with trace elements and vitamins and with no metal prosthesis were included. Tobacco consumption and the number of dental amalgams were recorded. Our results demonstrated a blood lead level that had drastically decreased, i.e. reduced by half, during this period (12.5 versus 26.3 g/L, P 0.0001). Known differences were observed between males and females for copper and zinc; cadmium and lead were higher in smokers. Median plasmatic mercury, a specific test for dental amalgam exposure, did not significantly increase (0.38 versus 0.28 g/L, P 0.11). The ICPMS metallic profile is a very practical concept that is useful for clinical, forensic and environmental toxicology, including industrial hygiene monitoring.