The Trace Elements Laboratory is a core component of the Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry. The laboratory specializes in measuring many toxic metals/metalloids in environmental and clinical matrices, often at trace (10 to 104 µg/L or 0.01 to 100 µg/g) or even ultra trace (<10 µg/L or <0.01 µg/g ) levels. Some trace elements are important for human health because they are essential micronutrients (copper, zinc and selenium), yet others are non-essential and highly toxic, such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Monitoring trace elements in the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat is important for assessing external exposure. However to assess internal exposure, one must measure trace elements in blood, urine and human tissues.

As the EPA-designated primacy laboratory for NY State, the environmental trace elements section is accredited as NELAP – lab E37911, NYS ELAP – lab 10762, and EPA – lab NY00005, while the clinical trace elements section is accredited under NYS CLEP – PFI 1067, and under CLIA certificate of compliance – 33D0654341.

Analysis/tests routinely performed:

Environmental Trace Elements: analysis of potable and non-potable water, solid waste for trace metals using quadrupole-based Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry: rapid screening of solid samples (supplements, toys, foods, cosmetics and spices) for toxic metals (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg).
Trace Elements in blood, urine and serum for multiple trace elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (note these analyses are conducted in support of various Biomonitoring studies).
Proficiency Testing: The laboratory operates a PT program for Trace Elements in whole blood, serum and urine matrices that is designed to support Biomonitoring.