Atomic spectrometry update. Clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

This annual review covers the literature on the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages using atomic spectrometric techniques published in the year up to the end of October 2004. Tables 1 and 2 summarise the details of these publications. Our previous Update 1 covered the preceding year up to October 2003. This year, it is evident we are moving into a new phase with many more papers appearing that used dynamic reaction cells or octopole cells with quadrupole ICP-mass spectrometers to reduce isobaric interferences, which are so prevalent in biological applications. Innovation and development were also noted with a 'beam injection' system for FAAS and the extension of in vivo XRF determination to Ag and As. Speciation of As and Se remains topical and the increased complexity of the situation is now evident with additional species found, many of which still have to be identified. More than 30 years after the appearance of Itai-Itai disease, a consequence of Cd contamination of rice in Japan, it is evident that despite successful remediation work concentrations of Cd in rice are still greater than elsewhere in Asia. This, together with the continuing concern over As in drinking water in Bangladesh, illustrates the importance of vigilance in preventing such tragedies in the future. Abnormally high As concentrations found in fossil skeletons of dinosaur species have led to the suggestion that As toxicity could have contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs in the Chinese Province of Sichuan. Finally, it is appropriate to acknowledge that this is the last Update for which David Halls will be writing. It is not possible to do justice to all that he has contributed. David has written for every one of the Clinical and Biological Materials, Foods and Beverages ASUs since they were established in 1986 and was the Topic Group Coordinator for several years. His contributions are always carefully crafted and, with his long practical experience within the clinical environment, his insight and observations are given with common sense and often with considerable humour too.