The Analysis of Urine for Trace Elements using the NexION 2000 ICP-MS

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This application note demonstrates an effective method for determining trace elements in urine.

The determination of trace elements in biological fluids presents a challenge for a number of reasons, including the complex nature of the matrices and the widely varying concentrations of the metals which are present. Among the most commonly analyzed biological fluids (urine, blood, serum), urine is unique in that its main function is waste removal from biological systems. As a result, urine is composed of a complex mixture of components which can vary widely between samples and can be affected by food, environmental, and industrial exposures. For these reasons, both matrix and analyte levels of urine often vary significantly between samples, posing a challenge for analysis.

There are two main challenges that must be overcome when measuring trace metals in urine: the presence of matrix-induced polyatomic interferences and the very low levels of some elements used to assess contaminant exposure, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg), among others. With the ability to use three cell gases in the Universal Cell, PerkinElmer’s NexION^® 2000 ICP Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) allows the most appropriate gas and mode to be used for analysis, providing the most effective removal of interferences and the lowest levels to be accurately measured.

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