Trace metals in urine of United States residents: reference range concentrations

Abstract

We measured 13 metals in the urine of 496 United States residents to establish reference range concentrations using inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry and Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. We frequently found 8 of these analytes at detectable concentrations in urine specimens: molybdenum (in 99.8%); lead (98.8%); tin (89%); thallium (77%); antimony (73.5%); manganese (73%); cesium (71%); tungsten (70%); and platinum (69.7%). The 95th percentile concentration for molybdenum was 168 micrograms/L; concentrations ranged up to 688 micrograms/L. Lead concentrations ranged up to 67 micrograms/L, and the 95th upper percentile was 6.4 micrograms/L. Tin had 95th upper percentile of 20.1 micrograms/L. Other analytes measured at detectable concentrations included barium (in 67% of the specimens); beryllium (67%); chromium (54%); thorium (44%); and cobalt (43%). In almost every case, the 95th upper percentiles of these analytes were less than 15 micrograms/L.