X-ray fluorescence analysis of lead in bone

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.93101494· OSTI ID:5580667

Todd, A C; Landrigan, P J

The in vivo measurement of lead burden in human bones by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is a newly developed, noninvasive, and relatively rapid approach to assessing chronic lead exposure. XRF takes advantage of the fact that bone is the storage tissue for lead in the human body and that lead in bone has a half-life of decades. XRF analysis may be undertaken using either K or L X-rays, and both K and L XRF systems have been developed and validated. With the application of XRF technology to epidemiologic and clinical studies, the toxicology of chronic lead exposure in adults can be explored with a sensitivity and specificity not heretofore possible. XRF will also enable the examination of the possible influence of genetic polymorphism on chronic lead toxicity. The toxic endpoints that might be most fruitfully evaluated in prospective epidemiologic studies of workers include toxicity to the peripheral and central nervous system, renal toxicity, and lead-induced hypertension. XRF bone lead measurements will be important for assessing intervention in lead poisoning. Finally, XRF technology will be extremely important for refining existing models of the pharmacokinetics of lead.

• OSTI ID: 5580667
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States), Vol. 101:6; ISSN 0091-6765
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADULTS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
LEAD
TOXICITY
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
SENSITIVITY
SPECIFICITY
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZERS
DIAGNOSTIC USES
BODY BURDEN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HALF-LIFE
HYPERTENSION
IN VIVO
POISONING
AGE GROUPS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
ISOTOPES
METALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
RADIOISOTOPES
SYMPTOMS
USES
VASCULAR DISEASES
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
560160 - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology