Chromium, a transition metal with two main oxidation states (Cr<sup>3+</sup> and Cr<sup>6+</sup>), can be introduced into the body by skin absorption, ingestion and inhalation. The trivalent form is considered to be safe, with several medical applications; however, the hexavalent form is considered toxic and carcinogenic. Measuring the exposure to such a toxic element requires the sampling of a patient’s tissue and fluids, such as those found in the lens of the ocular system. Beginning in the embryonic stages of development, lens fibers are continuously created by the epithelium, hence reflecting a lifetime of exposure to contaminants. This makes lens material a suitable subject for the study of chromium exposure. Additionally, eye tissue remains a rather unexplored area of medicine, with little known about heavy metal concentrations in the eye. A protocol for the quantification of trivalent chromium has been developed by use of cation exchange chromatography and analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results indicated that salt in lens samples interfered with the accuracy of the method. To eliminate this interference, the study pursued trace matrix separation by an anion exchange resin, Amberlite IRN-78, as well as the standard addition method. Statistical comparisons of absorbance data reflect the efficacy of the analytical methods. In developing an efficient and reliable analytical method that accurately quantifies trivalent chromium, the goal of this research is to allow for epidemiological studies to link toxic metal concentrations to other patient characteristics, such as macular degeneration or cataracts.

Quantification of chromium in biological matrices

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.