Have you heard of Arsenic, Aluminium, Copper, Chromium, Lead, Mercury and many more such metals?

Metals or heavy metals as we know them could potentially lead to toxicity in people who are always in close contact with them or ingest them via water in micro dosages due to having industries near their homes.

At EA Laboratories, we provide advanced Metal Detection and Screening with the AGILENT 7850 ICP-MS Analyser.

What is ICP-MS?

  • Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a type of mass spectrometry that uses an inductively coupled plasma to ionize the sample
  • It is known and used for its ability to detect metals and several non-metals at very low concentrations.
  • It can detect different isotopes of the same element, which makes it a versatile tool in isotopic labelling.

Why do we need ICP-MS?

Trace elements and minerals are compounds essential for support of biological functions but an overload can cause severe damage.

ICP-MS method using single work-up, which is a simple, quick and robust method can be used for the sequential measurement and quantification of the trace elements like:

  • Lead
  • Arsenic
  • Mercury
  • Selenium
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Chromium
  • Cadmium
  • Nickel
  • Gold
  • Lithium

and many other elements in whole blood as well as in serum.

Who is at risk of metal toxicity?

LEAD

Plumbing employees, painters, battery makers and toy making industries are at high risk of Lead toxicity.

Lead toxicity can cause mental diseases as well as gastric disorders. Lead toxicity is known as Plumbism.

ARSENIC

Arsenic is found in huge quantities in fertilisers, hence everyone in the farming and agriculture business can be prone to it’s toxicity. This poisoning can cause liver diseases as well as cancer.

MERCURY

Major sources of mercury pollution include anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, municipal wastewater discharges, mining, incineration, and discharges of industrial wastewater.

Mercury toxicity is also a deadly disorder.

CADMIUM

Workers in the paint industry, battery making, shipyard employees, construction and agriculture are exposed to Cadmium.

Cadmium toxicity can cause lung damage and also cause a disease known as Itai-Itai.

MANGANESE

Manganese exposure is seen in people involved in Welding and can lead to toxicity.

COPPER

Copper toxicity happens in a well-known genetic disorder known as Wilson’s disease.

CHROMIUM

Chromium is extensively used in industries such as metallurgy, electroplating, production of paints and pigments, tanning, wood preservation, chemical production and pulp and paper production. This is known to cause rashes and dermatitis.

What are the common signs of heavy metal poisoning?

  • Abdominal pain
  • Chills
  • Diarrhoea
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tingling in your hands or feet.

To ensure health of your employees and productivity of your firm, get yourself and your employees tested for Heavy metals at EA Laboratories today!

-Dr. Niharika Patel

MBBS