Lab Matters Spring 2021 | Page 13

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Kenneth Aldous , PhD New York State Department of Health , Wadsworth Center

ICP-MS has become the method of choice for trace element analysis in New York due to its high sensitivity and ease of sample preparation . HRMS has been applied for isotope ratio measurements in forensic and biomonitoring studies . Typical instruments used are sector field ( SF ) ICP-MS , and multi-collector ( MC ) ICP-MS . Wadsworth Center has applied a Thermo Scientific ^™ Element 2 ^™ SF-ICP- HRMS to uranium isotope measurement in urine . ² The higher sensitivity of SF-ICP- HRMS and simultaneous data acquisition of MC-ICP-MS yield more precise isotope ratio measurements , especially at low [ U ], compared to conventional quadrupole ICP-MS . Additionally , ultrasonic nebulization , desolvation sample introduction systems , and direct injection nebulization are used to increase sensitivity and reduce oxide and hydride formation .

Louis Marchetti , PhD Rhode Island State Health Laboratories

The Forensic Toxicology laboratory in the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories has leveraged HRMS to replace traditional ELISA screening . While still in the validation process , the laboratory has built an extensive spectral library that aids in efforts to more efficiently screen medical examiner and law enforcement cases . By utilizing QTOF technology , the laboratory will enhance submission turnaround time in a more cost effective manner when compared to traditional screening routes and greatly aid in the ability to quickly identify emerging drug trends as they seek a better understanding of overdose trends within their state . n

References

1 . Backe WJ ( 2021 ). Suspect and non-target screening of reuse water by large-volume injection liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry . Chemosphere , 266 , 128961 . Accessed March 23 , 2021 . Available from : https :// www . sciencedirect . com / science / article / abs / pii / S0045653520331581 ? via % 3Dihub

2 . Arnason JG , Pellegri CN , Parsons PJ , ( 2013 ) Determination of uranium isotope ratios in human urine by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for use in occupational and biomonitoring studies . J . Anal . At . Spectrom ., 2013 , 28 , 1410 – 1419 . Accessed March 23 , 2021 . Available from : https :// pubs . rsc . org / en / content / articlelanding / 2013 / ja / c3ja50151e / unauth #! divAbstract

The Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity

ABSA International was founded in 1984 to promote biosafety as a scientific discipline and serve the growing biosafety and biosecurity needs of scientists , laboratorians , health care workers , and biosafety and biosecurity professionals throughout the world .

ABSA International Activities and Resources

• Annual Biosafety and Biosecurity Conferences , Training Courses , and Webinars

• Agricultural and Biosecurity Symposia – offered alternating years

• Professional Credentials – Registered Biosafety Professional ( RBP ) and Certified Biological Safety Professional ( CBSP )

• Applied Biosafety : Journal of ABSA International

• Biosafety and Biosecurity Publications – including Anthology of Biosafety series

• BSL-2 / -3 and ABSL-2 / -3 Accreditation Program – https :// absa . org / lab-accred /

• Animal Biosafety Training Videos – https :// absa . org / absl /