New horizons for x-ray fluorescence in trace element detection

铅、砷是日常生活中常见的有毒元素。长期接触这些元素，即使是中等水平，也可能造成严重的健康影响。拟议研究的目标涉及开发新的X射线荧光(XRF)技术来检测铅和砷，并揭示这些元素在体内的分布情况。具体而言，目标包括在下列相互关联的研究主题中使用X射线荧光：(1)开发一种革命性的新型微型X射线管X射线荧光方法，以评估在环境水平上暴露于痕量元素的情况；(2)使用一种新的同步辐射微探测器，以发现人体皮肤中砷的性质；以及(3)使用世界上最高精度的骨铅系统，以更好地了解铅动力学这一关键问题。

Lead and arsenic are toxic elements which are encountered in daily life. Serious health effects may result from chronic exposure to even moderate levels of these elements. The objectives of the proposed research relate to the development of novel x-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques to detect lead and arsenic, and to uncover how these elements distribute in the body. Specifically, the objectives include the use of XRF in the following interrelated themes of research: (1) the development of a transformative new miniature x-ray tube XRF approach to assess exposure to trace elements at environmental levels; (2) the use of a new synchrotron radiation microprobe to discover the nature of arsenic in human skin; and (3) the use of the highest precision bone lead system in the world to better understand the critical issue of lead kinetics.