Development of a high-throughput multi-element analysis method for whole blood using ICP-MS/MS and its application in population exposure characterization

SHANG Xiao-chen; LIU Le-yi; WEN Dong-sen; LI Jie; HOU Wen-yue; WU Hao; LIU Peng-yu; CAO Su-zhen; DUAN Xiao-li

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China Environmental Science ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (9) : 5264-5276.

Environmental Toxicology and Environmental Health

Development of a high-throughput multi-element analysis method for whole blood using ICP-MS/MS and its application in population exposure characterization

SHANG Xiao-chen¹, LIU Le-yi¹, WEN Dong-sen², LI Jie³, HOU Wen-yue¹, WU Hao¹, LIU Peng-yu¹, CAO Su-zhen¹, DUAN Xiao-li¹

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Abstract

Accurate measurement of internal exposure to metal(loid) mixtures is crucial for early identification of disease risk. In this study, a multi-element analytical method based on inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) was developed and optimized for the quantification of 35metals and metalloids in whole blood. The method demonstrated excellent linearity (R²>0.998), high sensitivity (limits of detection as low as 2.0ng/L), good precision (coefficient of variation < 15%), and acceptable accuracy (spike recovery rates ranging from 76.2% to 124%). The performance of this method was further validated by its application to whole blood samples collected from 211middle-aged and elderly residents living near a non-ferrous metal smelting area in China. Moreover, this application facilitated an assessment of population-level exposure characteristics of 35target elements. Elevated concentrations of toxic elements such as Pb and Cd—associated with smelting activities—were observed, while statistically significant variations across sex and age groups suggested potential demographic determinants of exposure heterogeneity(P < 0.05). This high-throughput quantitative approach to whole-blood metallomics holds great potential for elucidating the biological roles of multiple elements, and provides a robust analytical foundation for exposure assessment, environmental risk evaluation, and the development of health interventions in populations affected by industrial activities. The established protocol could be further expanded to encompass a broader range of target elements in future studies.

Key words

ICP-MS/MS / metals and metalloids analysis in whole blood / internal exposure characteristic

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SHANG Xiao-chen, LIU Le-yi, WEN Dong-sen, LI Jie, HOU Wen-yue, WU Hao, LIU Peng-yu, CAO Su-zhen, DUAN Xiao-li. Development of a high-throughput multi-element analysis method for whole blood using ICP-MS/MS and its application in population exposure characterization[J]. China Environmental Science. 2025, 45(9): 5264-5276

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