Non-Invasive Monitoring for Occupational Exposure to Metals
EMSL Project ID
2349
Abstract
The assessment of the potential for health effects, and the need for protective measures requires the accurate measurement of exposure, and the ability to translate these measurements into dose. Exposure data provides a basis for assessing compliance with standards, for evaluating adequacy of standards, and for developing improved risk estimates. This work proposes to develop a reliable, yet portable, non-invasive methodology for the on-site characterization and real-time monitoring of toxic metals in waste-site clean-up workers. The ultimate goal is to develop a monitoring device for the non-invasive detection of metals in individual workers. During FY98, efforts focused on determination of the feasiblity for such a device, targeting lead (Pb) as the test compound. Animal studies were conducted to determine the saliva Pb concentration corresponding with the current biological exposure indices (BEI) blood Pb level, and a miniaturized analytical system was designed and tested. Together, these efforts clearly illustrated the feasibility of a saliva monitoring device for Pb exposures. Given this, research this year will entail conducting a field trial targeting workers potentially exposed to lead at the Hanford site, and determination of a feasibility for a saliva monitor for a second chemical --beryllium (Be). Additional candidate compounds include cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium (VI), copper, uranium, and zinc. The scope for the work includes: (1) field testing the lead monitoring system in a volunteer population; (2) determination of the minimum biological detection levels of saliva Be concentrations; (3) fabrication of the analytical system on a chip for detection of Be utilizing micro=machining technology; (4) comparison of various chelating agents and selection of the best ligand for sensor development; and (5) establishment of in-situ calibration techniques. Results could lead to a product that is simple, cost effective, and efficient for occupational exposure assessment of metals as part of a biological monitoring program. Since each micro=analytical system will be somewhat unique to the chemical being tested, the graded approach of determining feasiblity, followed by field testing, will allow for commercialization efforts as each chemical is tested. If successful, the analytical system developed in this project will result in several commercial products.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
1999-02-03
End Date
1999-11-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members