Lab Matters Fall 2023 | Page 49

APHL 2023 POSTER ABSTRACTS

Quantitative Analysis of Metals in Dried Blood Spots ( DBS ) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

V . Chandra , A . Steffens , H . Arman , T . Fan , D . Haltmeier , E . Bind ; New Jersey Department of Health Public Health and Environmental Laboratories

Dried blood spots ( DBS ) have been used in analytical chemistry for decades due to certain advantages including stability , convenience , and noninvasiveness . DBS are a primary tool for newborn screening programs and have the potential to offer significant untapped data beyond the routine screening conducted on them . Advancements in analytical techniques in recent years have broadened the scope of DBS in clinical medicine . Notably , prenatal exposure to toxic metals affects brain development and other health outcomes , including autism . Here , we describe the validation of a DBS analytical procedure to detect and quantify toxic metals . The laboratory conducted method development to address known concerns associated with testing for metals in DBS including extraction , contamination , reproducibility , and accuracy . In this method , blood samples were spiked with the target analytes at different concentrations , spotted on DBS collection paper , and later analyzed by ICP-MS after various processes , which include drying , extracting with diluent , shaking , centrifuging , and decanting . Targeted metals consisted of aluminum , cadmium , mercury , lead , copper , manganese , selenium , thallium , and zinc . The reportable ranges for these metals on DBS were established by using publicly available population concentration data from NHANES and based on the detection limits from preliminary data using this extraction method . The parameters that were used to validate the method are linearity , accuracy , precision , and linear dynamic range ( LDR ). Those parameters were evaluated using preliminary data collected in the laboratory . Conditions optimized during development include diluent components , spiking procedure , spotting technique , and more . The method is robust enough to recover the desired analytes in range that is acceptable to meet the study objectives . Aluminum was dropped from the method due to contamination of the filter paper . Linearity for all remaining analytes is strong ( r > 0.995 ) using a weighted curve ( 1 / x2 ). Accuracy for the method is ± 30 % ( except for low-level Hg and Mn , which is ± 50 % recovery ). Precision of the method is within ± 30 % RSD , with most falling within + 20 %. LDR exceeds targeted reportable range for all analytes . The method is in the final stages of validation . Data collected using this technique will be compared to biomarkers related to autism from deidentified blood spots provided by the NJ Newborn Screening Program . Preliminary analytical results will be presented in addition to the method development data .

Presenter : Hosen Arman , hmarman535 @ gmail . com

The Road to the Measurement of PFAS

A . Burditt 1 , J . Hover-Jeansonne 2 ; 1 Texas Department of State Health Services , 2 Texas Department of State

As part of the Newborn Screening Program in Texas , blood spots are collected on protein saver cards and analyzed for various lifethreatening conditions . The newborn population is not screened for exposures relating to environmental chemicals at this time . A better understanding of environmental chemical exposures is needed to build knowledge of this population , their exposure during the fetal development period and in the first 21 days of life . In this study , we are formulating and validating a method to detect PFAS ( per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances ) captured on protein saver cards . Early exposure to toxic chemicals in a very vulnerable population can have life-impacting long-term consequences . This work has involved building an instrument method and sample preparation method for an Ultra-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometer and going through a clinical method validation process ( accuracy , precision , regression / goodness fit , carryover , specificity , sensitivity , limit of detection , analytical measurement range , matrix effects , linearity , and interference assessment ). The development process for the detection and quantitation of PFAS compounds from protein saver cards is intended to produce reliable , robust , reproducible , and rugged data . Upon completion of the method validation ( data collection / review / analysis , report , standard operating procedure ), the project will move to Phase 2 . One of the chief goals of Phase 2 is to begin data collection for select PFAS compounds within the population of archived specimen protein saver cards , whose parent / guardian has elected to allow the remnant samples to be used for research and method development . The demographic features of the representative population selected will align , as best as possible , with the population of Texas and will hopefully allow further insights and correlations with birth weight , sex , and location with PFAS compounds detected . Ultimately , this biosurveillance will provide baseline exposure information for one of our most vulnerable populations and allow understanding between disease and environmental chemical exposure during fetal development and the first 21 days of life .

Presenter : Ashley Burditt , ashley . burditt @ hotmail . com

BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY

Developing Laboratory-specific Risk Assessment Tools for Emerging Infectious Diseases

A . Causey , O . Adair , N . Epie ; South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control

As public health laboratories are the front lines for the diagnostic testing of newly emerging or reemerging infectious diseases , laboratory professionals must quickly adapt biosafety and biocontainment plans to safely meet unique situational and site-specific challenges . The utilization of frequently shared risk assessment tools provide a basic framework to quickly conduct hazard identification , risk evaluation , and mitigation selection for a new work process or hazard , however ; the modification of these tools is often needed to address the variety of hazards and processes present in a laboratory setting . South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Public Health Laboratory ( SCDHEC PHL ) created a procedure and template for facilitating change management incorporating the following elements ; brainstorming possible physical , chemical , or biological hazards in a laboratory setting ; utilizing a “ what-if ” hazard analysis structure and a risk matrix to conduct risk evaluation ; establishing expected actions based on initial risk ratings ; selecting mitigation strategies based the hierarchy of controls ; and documenting the evaluation process . In addition , often overlooked support items were incorporated ( ex . materials storage , occupational health needs , training program modification , waste management , etc ). This procedure and template was then implemented as a guide for assessing the initial safety and support needs of a new process and