DIFFERENT FIELDS OF APPLICATIONS - Total-Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods - page 324

Figure5.10. TXRF spectrum of lung tissue from a foundryman. Dust deposits show a typical
enrichment of Pb, Cr, and Ti with 12, 19, and 214 μ g/g, respectively. Gallium was used as internal
standard. Figure from Ref. [3], reproduced with permission. Copyright1996, John Wiley and
Sons.
only slightly and lead to an averaged“normal spectrum.”Significant devia-
tions, however, could be observed for the spectra of people who suffered from
an increased dust stress due to their occupation. Figure 5.10 shows a spectrum
of lung tissue obtained from a foundry worker. The quantitative results show
heavy-metal contaminations of Ti, Cr, and Pb in the upper μ g/g range, which is
obviously caused by an occupational exposure to metalliferrous dusts. The
spectra of painters showed titanium and lead, the spectra of steel workers
displayed Ti, Cr, Mn, and Ni. For goldsmiths, gold and silver were additionally
found in the spectra of lung tissue. Of course, there were many people for
whom no significant deviations could be established despite their occupational
dust stress.
The foregoing method is not restricted to investigations of organ tissues but
can also be applied to the analysis of plant and animal foodstuffs, for example,
nuts, mushrooms, shrimps, hen eggs, rice, paprika, peas, cheese, sausages, and
in general to any compact or liquid biomaterial. The method can be carried out
simply and rapidly and is therefore suitable for screening or monitoring in the
clinical, nutritional, and environmental fields.
5.3.3.2HealthyandCancerousTissueSamples
Trace elements in human tissue can be essential or toxic for biochemical
processes, which generally depends on the concentration. Many elements are