Towards swift yet accurate forensic analysis and risk assessment of food and environment safety

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Currently, government agencies usually determine the safety of food items and airborne particulate matter that we all breathe based on the total concentration of elements. Dissolution of solid samples is usually carried out, which takes time and reagents. Furthermore, the multiple steps involved increase the likelihood of contamination and may result in loss of some of the elements to be determined. In addition, this approach does not provide any information on the chemical form of each element, which determines toxicity. Most critically, it also does not provide any information on bio-accessibility, i.e. solubility in the gastrointestinal tract. Yet, the existence of a large quantity of a toxicant is only a safety concern if the human body absorbs it. The proposed research program will involve the development of simple analysis methods that quickly determine the level of each element present in a solid. If the level poses a potential danger to human health, the analytical method will determine the form of the element to establish what portion is toxic. If the toxic portion is problematic, a quick on-line leaching approach can then be used to establish the fraction of the toxic portion that is bio-accessible. Four graduate and several undergraduate students will participate in different aspects of this research. In addition, one graduate student and several undergraduate students will adapt this technique to develop novel methods to analyze forensic samples (in particular, paint and fiber fragments), adding a new tool to the arsenal of police agencies to help them solve cases and reduce crime. Law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will be able to implement the methods developed easily and cost-effectively. Rapid and cost-effective acquisition of information on both element forms and bio-accessible element concentrations in foods and airborne particulate matter will enable toxicological studies to establish if a synergistic or antagonistic effect exists between different elements. This will empower Canadian authorities to regulate levels of elements (and perhaps even specific element forms) in food at safe levels, thereby saving Canadians billions of dollars through the associated reduction or elimination of immuno-toxicological effects.