PIXE studies using the Van-De-Graaff acceleartor at BARC, Trombay-differences in elemental concentartions in blood samples of children

Abstract

Metal monitoring is one of the major concern of biological and bio-medical research. The Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) which is a multi elemental and non-destructive technique for trace element analysis has been set up at the Folded Tandem Ion accelerator (FOTIA) at BARC, Trombay, Mumbai, India. A few of the bioscience applications carried out at the Van de Graaff Laboratory using PIXE will be summarized in this presentation. Tea leaves obtained from the eastern region of India were analyzed by PIXE using 2.5 MeV protons. Trace elements such K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb and Sr were present in varying concentration in the tea leaves. The soil analysis showed Ti, Y, Zr and Nb in addition to the elements shown in the leaves. Blood samples of children exposed to vehicular traffic exhaust were analyzed for its Pb content and it was seen that the concentrations of Pb in the blood of the children were high (6.0 μg/ml). Pb poisoning of air due to vehicular exhaust is a major concern and cause for air pollution leading to high blood lead levels in children.