Metallic profile of whole blood and plasma in a series of 106 healthy volunteers.

In 2003, we simultaneously quantified 27 metals by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the whole blood, plasma and urine of 100 healthy volunteers. We again determined the metallic profile in whole blood and plasma during 2012. ICP-MS validated multielementary method was performed for metals in whole blood and plasma. Whole blood vanadium and chromium were quantified using ICP-MS 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 µg/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 µg/L, P = 0.11). The ICP-MS metallic profile is a very practical concept that is useful for clinical, forensic and environmental toxicology, including industrial hygiene monitoring.