Differences in lead isotopic fingerprints between blood, hair and organs in lead-poisoned rats

Lead isotopic ratios of biosamples such as blood, hair and teeth are used as "fingerprints" to trace and identify sources of lead pollution in the environment. However, the reliability of this technique has not been confirmed. In previous studies, we investigated the differences in lead isotopic ratios between blood, hair, and organs from the same human body. To explore the relationship between isotopic ratios in environmental lead and biosamples, and to investigate the influence of exposure dose, rats were exposed to 0, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg body weight of lead acetate every day for 4 weeks by intragastric administration. Lead isotopic ratios of blood, hair, liver, kidney and femur in rats, as well as that of the test substance lead acetate, were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in lead isotopic fingerprints between blood, hair, and tissues. Lead fingerprints of blood were influenced by lead exposure dose, while those of other tissues and organs were generally not. Its reliability and availability indicated that blood, but not hair, was thus a suitable biomarker for environmental lead exposure. The results of this study provide the scientific rationale for the use of lead isotopic ratios for the identification of human lead pollution sources.Multidisciplinary SciencesSCI(E)0ARTICLE7744-7495