Abstract: In continuation of an investigation recently carried out to monitor through hair analysis the occupational exposure of goldsmith workers to potentially toxic elements, another study was performed to extend the same methodological approach to the goldsmiths of Rome. This research was part of the project P.R.O.Art. undertaken by the Italian National Research Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and the National Craftsmens Federation with the purpose of supporting goldsmith activities and trade. Sampling of hair, washing and sample digestion followed well-established procedures. Silver, Au, Cd, Co, Cr, In, Ni, Pb and Pt were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), whereas Hg was analyzed using the flow injection mercury system (FIMS). On the other hand, the expected relatively high concentrations of Cu and Zn in hair allowed for the use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Data obtained were statistically treated by applying the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. A significant difference, at the level of P < 0.05, between exposed and unexposed subjects in the Rome area was observed only for Au. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: In the framework of the activities of the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for residues at the Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) of Rome, a number of proficiency tests were performed in order to assess and improve, wherever necessary, the quality of regulatory residue analysis within the EU. In this context, a pilot study was undertaken with the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of a project for the certification of a new reference material for trace elements in bovine muscle. On behalf of the ISS, approximately 70 kg of bovine muscle, collected at a slaughterhouse in Geel (Belgium), were freeze-dried, homogenized, stabilized and bottled under argon atmosphere by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Joint Research Centre, European Commission (IRMM-JRC-EC). Preliminary analyzes were carried out with Quadrupole (Q) and High Resolution (HR) Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to evaluate the content of As, Cd, Cu and Pb, whereas the mow Injection Mercury System (FIMS) was used to quantify Hg. Digestion of the matrix was achieved by acid-assisted microwave irradiation. The mean values of experimentally obtained data were the following (in nanograms per gram): As, 24.2±1.2; Cd, 5.48±0.29; Cu, 4765±95; Hg, 3.37±0.73. and Pb, 184±7. Subsequently, 16 National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for residues in the Member States plus the Norwegian one and eight Italian public laboratories were accepted to participate in the project and received one bottle of the freeze-dried bovine muscle. The laboratories were requested to perform three different analytical runs (in three different days), each consisting of three individual measurements. Preliminary results showed good agreement and fair evidence for homogeneity of the entire mass, thus setting the stage for the future certification of this candidate CRM.

Abstract: Trace elements were determined in hair of individuals involved in goldsmith activities in Italy. Three major areas of prodn. were selected: Arezzo, Valenza, and Vicenza. In total, 95 (73 exposed individuals and 22 controls) of the personnel employed in factories located in these provinces were examined Hair samples were collected, washed, and digested as prescribed by well-established procedures. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed for the determination of Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cr, In, Ni, Pb, and Pt in the final solutions, whereas Hg was quantified by means of the flow injection mercury system. The expected high concentrations of Cu and Zn in the hair matrix, on the other hand, allowed the use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Certified Reference Material Human Hair (BCR CRM No. 397) was used throughout the study to check the accuracy of measurements. The geometric means obtained for exposed subjects were (µg/g) Ag, 1.293; Au, 1.445; Cd, 0.0369; Co, 0.017; Cr, 0.3270; Cu, 13.27; Hg, 1.510; In, 0.0016; Ni, 0.276; Pb, 0.662; Pt, 0.0036; and Zn, 172.3. For control subjects, on the other hand, the geometric means ascertained were (µg/g) Ag, 0.403; Au, 0.670; Cd, 0.0314; Co, 0.025; Cr, 0.2125; Cu, 11.08; Hg, 1.360; In, 0.0008; Ni, 0.467; Pb, 0.596; Pt, 0.0051; and Zn, 168.9. Statistical treatment of the data showed that the greatest difference between the values observed in exposed and unexposed subjects occurred for Ag, followed by Au, Cu, and In.