New analytical methodology for cadmium quantification by solid surface fluorescence in biological samples

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal found in tobacco, water, and food. Exposure to this metal can be harmful to health, causing kidney, bone, and respiratory problems, and even cancer. Furthermore, Cd exposure through maternal smoking poses a significant risk to both mother and baby. This study proposes the development of an analytical methodology for quantifying cadmium using solid surface fluorescence in mature breast milk serum samples from mothers who smoked and were exposed to secondhand smoke. The new methodology involves intensifying the fluorescent signal of the complex formed by trace amounts of Cd with o-phenanthroline (o-phen) and eosin (Eo). The complex was filtered, retained on blue-banded filter paper, and determined using solid surface fluorescence.I n all samples analyzed, metal concentrations in the ppb range were found, which correlated with the degree of tobacco exposition /addiction. The cadmium levels were 56.77; 27.13 and 0.86 µg L⁻¹ for female smokers, passive smokers, and the control group, respectively. The proposed new method aims to be a more economical alternative to conventional metal analysis techniques in terms of instrumentation. The cadmium levels found correlated directly with the degree of tobacco exposure/addiction, with a p < 0.001 in each group studied, highlighting the risk to the health of both mother and child. While the results are promising, more data are needed to reach conclusive studies (considering different sources of exposure to the metal, cigarette brands, type of tobacco, etc.) and to expand the population group under study.
Fil: Avaca Gagliardi, Paola. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina
Fil: Fernandez, Liliana Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Química de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Química de San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Química. Área de Química Analítica; Argentina