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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Food Composition and Methods Development Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #119205
Title: TRACE ELEMENT CONTENT OF MUNICIPAL WATERS IN THE UNITED STATES: A COMPARISON OF ICP-AES AND ICP-MS METHODS

Author
item Miller-Ihli, Nancy
item BAKER, SCOTT - 1235-15-00

Submitted to: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2001
Publication Date: 10/1/2001
Citation: Miller-Ihli, N.J., Baker, S.A. 2001. Trace element composition of municipal waters in the United States: a comparison of icp-aes and icp-ms methods. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 14: 619-629.

Interpretive Summary: In conjunction with colleagues from the Nutrient Data Lab, a study was conducted to look at the trace element content of municipal waters nationwide. The content of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, P, K, Na, Mn, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni and V in water were determined using both inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data were compared with existing data from USDA's Standard Reference 13 and data were evaluated to consider regional and seasonal variation. ICP-MS provided sub-part-per-billion level trace element data for Cr, Ni and V and also provided data for P and K(until now there were no data for these 5 elements in SR-13). When data from the study were compared to existing SR-13 data there was good agreement. The study indicated that there was no significant seasonal variation of trace elements in municipal water and highlighted the fact that water is typically not a significant source of most of these trace elements in the diet.

Technical Abstract: A collaborative project was outlined by representatives of the Nutrient Data Laboratory and the Food Composition Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the project was to obtain trace element (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, P, K, Na, Mn, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni and V) content data for municipal waters sampled around the U.S. during 3 different seasons. Several goals were outlined: 1. Compare inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods for the generation of data; 2. Compare data from this study with existing published data in USDA's Standard Reference Database SR-13; 3. Consider the variability of values comparing different locations; 4. Consider seasonal variability; 5. Conclude whether or not this high consumption product is a reasonable source of trace elements in the human diet.