X-ray fluorescence: Issues surrounding the application of a new tool for measuring burden of lead

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(89)80074-X· OSTI ID:5542244

Hu, H; Milder, F L; Burger, D E ^[1]

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1. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (USA)

Studies of lead toxicity would greatly benefit from a convenient, noninvasive measure of body lead burden. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) promises to provide such a measure by rapidly estimating lead content in bone, the repository of greater than 95% of an adult's lead stores (73% in children). Two separate XRF techniques exist, L-XRF and K-XRF. They differ in terms of calibration method and type of bone sampled. They also involve different radiation energies; however, radiation doses and concomitant risks are similarly low. Since interpretation of an XRF measurement depends to an extent on the distribution of lead in the skeleton, this topic is reviewed. Available data suggest that trabecular and cortical bone comprise two distinct compartments with regard to lead kinetics. Within each compartment, however, there also appears to be a significant degree of variability. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that the subperiosteal surface layer of cortical bone has a pattern of lead absorption and release that is different from the rest of cortical bone. This may have implications for (1) the choice of XRF technique, since the L-XRF technique measures lead in surface bone, whereas the K-XRF technique derives an estimate of lead from the full thickness of bone, and (2) the selection of bone sites for taking XRF measurements. More research is necessary to fully optimize the applicability of the XRF instrument.

• OSTI ID: 5542244
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Vol. 49:2; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
LEAD
BODY BURDEN
SKELETON
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
AGE DEPENDENCE
MAN
SPECIFICITY
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TOXICITY
ANIMALS
BODY
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
MAMMALS
METALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
ORGANS
PRIMATES
VERTEBRATES
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550600 - Medicine