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Sub-micrometer scale synchrotron x-ray fluorescence measurements of trace elements in teeth compared with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 35, pages 625–629 (2025)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Elemental analysis of teeth allows for exposure assessment during critical windows of development and is increasingly used to link early life exposures and health. The measurement of inorganic elements in teeth is challenging; laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is the most widely used technique.

Objective

Both synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (SXRF) and LA-ICP-MS have the capability to measure elemental distributions in teeth with each having distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Methods

In our study, we compared these two methods for teeth elemental quantification. SXRF was able to achieve spatial resolutions of 0.3 µm and is non-destructive while giving similar elemental quantification results to LA-ICP-MS.

Results

For particular elements, SXRF can offer lower detection limits but depends on the specific beam intensity. The comparison between methods revealed less than 10% disagreement between quantification results from LA-ICP-MS and SXRF.

Impact

  • Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence can be used to effectively quantify elemental distributions in teeth at a nanoscale resolution and is comparable to current laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Both methods offer advantages and disadvantages with LA-ICP-MS offering in-lab analyses, whereas SXRF offers much finer spatial and temporal scales and better detection capabilities. For studies focused on fine scale changes in structure, SXRF is more appropriate than LA-ICP-MS.

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Fig. 1: Microscope image of tooth and neonatal line.
Fig. 2: Tooth calcium and lead distribution.

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Data availability

Data will be made available upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Aaron Specht was partially supported by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health grant (NIOSH K01OH012528) and the JPB Foundation during this study. The study was also supported by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Environmental Health Center Grant (NIEHS grant ES000002).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Aaron J. Specht & Abu Sayed Mohammed Sayam

  2. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Aaron J. Specht, Vy T. Nguyen & Marc G. Weisskopf

  3. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    Xinxin Zhang

  4. Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA

    Olga A. Antipova

  5. Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Christian G. Hoover

  6. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA

    Tracy Punshon & Brian P. Jackson

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  1. Aaron J. Specht
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Contributions

AJ Specht: Conceptualization, drafting, reviewing; X Zhang: Drafting, reviewing; OA Antipova: Drafting, reviewing; ASM Sayam: Drafting, reviewing; VY Nguyen: Drafting, reviewing; CG Hoover: Drafting, analysis, reviewing; T Punshon: Drafting, reviewing, conceptualization; BP Jackson: Drafting, conceptualization, reviewing; MH Weisskopf: Drafting, conceptualization, reviewing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aaron J. Specht.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study received IRB approval from Harvard University and adhered to all guidelines and regulations set forth. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Specht, A.J., Zhang, X., Antipova, O.A. et al. Sub-micrometer scale synchrotron x-ray fluorescence measurements of trace elements in teeth compared with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 35, 625–629 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00754-6

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