High-resolution and tandem mass spectrometry (triple-quadrupole) instruments offer a very high level of interference control Coupled with short analysis time and simple sample preparation, ICP-MS offers the opportunity for very high sample throughput in the laboratory. This is in contrast to flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption where the lamp is specific for a limited number of elements, therefore only one (or a few) elements can be measured at a time.
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From a laboratory perspective, perhaps the most significant advantage of ICP-MS is its multi-element capability, which allows multiple elements to be measured simultaneously in a single analysis.
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3 Table 2 lists advantages and disadvantages of ICP-MS compared to other techniques such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), flame atomic emission (flame photometry), flame atomic absorption, graphite furnace atomic absorption and cold vapour/hydride generation atomic absorption. This review will focus on the analytical aspects underlying ICP-MS.Īlthough ICP-MS was first developed over 30 years ago, a number of older techniques are still in use by some laboratories. 2 A wide range of analytical techniques have historically been used for trace element analysis. Other elements such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead are known to exert toxic effects (often through a variety of different mechanisms), and are therefore measured to assess exposure. 1 Disturbances in normal homeostasis of these elements may cause (or be a symptom of) one or more pathophysiological conditions. 1 These elements play important roles in a wide range of biological processes including electron transport, oxygen transport, hormone synthesis and catalysis of biological reactions. Elements monitored for nutritional purposes include essential elements such as iodine, manganese, copper, selenium and zinc.
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Table 1 lists a number of elements of clinical interest, along with an approximate guide to the concentration ranges which may be encountered in biological samples. The measurement of trace elements in biological samples is useful in a large number of clinical settings.