Optimization and Validation of an analytical methodology for the Determination of As, Cd, Pb and Hg in Blood Matrix by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

The disorderly growth of cities has caused an environmental pollution problem. Recent studies show concern about the emission and deposition of metals in urban centers, thus, there is a risk of population contamination by elements that are proven harmful to health, such as As, Cd, Pb and Hg. The control of human contamination is done through products intended for human consumption, there is no population biomonitoring program, which could be an instrument to guide measures to prevent and promote collective health. Since human blood is an important biomarker and the analytical validation is one of the main instruments of quality assurance, this study intends to optimize and to validate an analytical methodology for determination of As, Cd, Pb and Hg in blood. Analyzes were performed in the INCQS and the quantification technique was ICP-MS. Accuracy, as assessed by the recovery test, was between 80-120% and a maximum deviation of 10%. All validation parameters presented values consistent with those established by INMETRO in the concentration range studied. The analytical methodology has been shown to be sensitive, specific, linear in the working range and good accuracy and precision were achieved, being adequate to quantify these elements in blood samples.