Lead accumulation in tidemark of articular cartilage.

Objective: Determination of the spatial distribution of the toxic element lead (Pb) and other trace elements in normal articular cartilage and subchondral bone from adult humans with no history of work-related exposure to Pb.

Methods: Four macroscopically normal femoral heads and three patellas were harvested from randomly selected forensic autopsies. All subjects died of acute illnesses, had no history of work-related exposure to Pb and had no metabolic bone disease.

Direct analysis of Al2O3 powders by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

A direct analysis procedure for the determination of trace impurities of Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ga in Al2O3 ceramic powders by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) is described. The powders were analysed in the form of slurries containing 1-10 mg mL(-1) of powder. The use of the procedure in the case of powders with differing grain size and for different slurry concentrations was investigated.