Exposure is assessed indirectly by analyzing environmental samples (air, water, soil, house dust) for trace elements. Biomonitoring can provide information on internal exposure by analyzing blood, urine, or other tissues for trace elements or their metabolites. Which specimen is the best indicator of internal exposure will depend on the specific absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination kinetics of each element/species, its toxicological properties, and the route of exposure to the element. A sub-group of trace elements known as the Rare-Earth Elements (REE) may also be assessed in the same manner. For more details see Exposure to Trace Elements.
Biospecimens: Volume requirements - typically at least 1 mL of urine or 3 mL of plasma or serum, although as little as ~200-500 µL of biological material may be sufficient.
Core analytes (subset of analytes that will be measured and reported by any targeted HHEAR Lab Hub that provides Trace Element analysis in blood, serum or urine):
| Blood | Serum | Urine |
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Other Trace Element analytes (analytes that can also be measured in biological material depending on the Lab Hub and the requested analytes) include but are not limited to:
| Blood | Serum | Urine |
|---|---|---|
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Rare Earth Elements (REE): Cerium (Ce), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Holmium (Ho), Lanthanum (La), Lutetium (Lu), Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Promethium (Pm), Samarium (Sm), Scandium (Sc), Terbium (Tb), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), and Yttrium (Y)
Environmental Samples: Volume requirements - one gram of dust, 5 grams soil, or 100 mL drinking water
The specific trace elements to be analyzed in environmental samples will depend on the possible sources, the matrix, and requested analytes.
- All analytes listed above for Biospecimens, plus:
- Bismuth (Bi)
- Lithium (Li)
- Silver (Ag)