Agilent Technologies and Metrohm Introduce Solution to Easily Measure Chromium --III-- and Toxic Chromium --VI-- in the Environment.PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif. & HERISAU, Switzerland -- Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) and Metrohm AG today introduced a high-sensitivity solution to easily detect and differentiate chromium (III), an essential nutrient, from toxic chromium (VI). Also known as hexavalent chromium, chromium (VI) is a potent toxin associated with lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. , kidney and liver damage, and skin and immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. disorders. Chromium (VI) is the toxin at issue in Erin Brockovich's well-known legal battle in the 1990s, resulting in one of the biggest civil class-action settlements in U.S. history. (The story was also made into a popular Hollywood movie.) The two forms of chromium are often present together and can be found in landfill materials and groundwater and as airborne dust particles. The analytical method announced today uses the new Agilent Chromium Speciation speciation Formation of new and distinct species, whereby a single evolutionary line splits into two or more genetically independent ones. One of the fundamental processes of evolution, speciation may occur in many ways. Kit, which features a proprietary Agilent ion chromatography column, the Agilent Integrated Sample Integration System, and Metrohm's non-metal pump module. It can be used with any Agilent inductively coupled plasma An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is a type of plasma source in which the energy is supplied by electrical currents which are produced by electromagnetic induction, that is, by time-varying magnetic fields. mass spectrometer (ICP-MS ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy ). The new method has several advantages over conventional chromium detection techniques, such as UV/Vis spectroscopy. Those advantages include higher sensitivity (down to parts per trillion), improved specificity, and better reproducibility in high matrix samples, such as hard drinking water drinking water supply of water available to animals for drinking supplied via nipples, in troughs, dams, ponds and larger natural water sources; an insufficient supply leads to dehydration; it can be the source of infection, e.g. leptospirosis, salmonellosis, or of poisoning, e.g. . Measurement of chromium toxicity is required in a wide range of samples, including drinking water, food, clinical specimens, and electrical and electronic equipment and waste. The World Health Organization has provided a provisional guideline value of 50 parts per billion for total chromium in drinking water, but WHO has also suggested that "because the health effects are determined largely by the oxidation state, different guideline values for Cr (III) and Cr (VI) should be delivered."(1) "Regulatory agencies and laboratories now have a powerful new tool to identify and quantify toxic chromium at lower levels to address potential health risks," said Mike McMullen, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Chemical Analysis Solutions unit. "This method is simple, reliable and fast and works with a wide variety of sample matrices. The system is flexible and will help customers meet an increasing range of regulatory demands for chromium (VI) measurement." Further information is available by requesting Agilent's "Chromium Speciation in Natural Samples by Ion Chromatography (IC) ICP-MS" application note, publication 5989-2481EN. This note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or at www.agilent.com/chem/environmental. About Metrohm AG Metrohm provides quality instruments and services for chemical ion analysis. Headquartered in Herisau, Switzerland, Metrohm and its distributors worldwide provide top-class service and instrumentation for all fields of chemical ion analysis. Information about Metrohm is available at www.metrohm.com. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. (1) "Chromium in Drinking-Water," background document for development of World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. WHO/SDE/WSH/03.04.04 NOTE TO EDITORS: Press releases, photography and other information can be accessed on the Agilent Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis newsroom at www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/lsca. Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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