# A novel portable KXRF measurement system for in vivo metal measurements

> **NIH ALLCDC K01** · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2021 · $104,437

## Abstract

Project Summary
Metal exposure has increased dramatically through the years with increased development of industry,
agriculture, and manufacturing. Lead (Pb) has been a centerpiece for metal exposures with its numerous
health effects impacting almost every organ system in the body. Monitoring of Pb and other metals is typically
done using simple blood tests, but blood levels only reflect recent exposure levels. With the short half-life of
blood, even serial measurements can have a significant amount of error relative to cumulative exposure and
will reduce our ability to relate exposures with the lifetime health risks associated with occupational work. Bone
is the body's primary reservoir for Pb and has been shown to reflect cumulative exposure over many years to
decades, and, thus, is a much better biomarker for chronic health risks associated with occupational
exposures. For decades researchers have studied bone Pb using x-ray fluorescence. However, the
applicability of this tremendously valuable technology is significantly limited by several factors including lack of
portability, long measurement times, and licensing needs that restrict where it can be used. In this proposal we
address these issues by developing a novel portable KXRF bone Pb measurement system with the
advantages of using a higher energy approach, while drastically improving the portability and applicability of
the technology. In the proposed research, we will develop and validate our novel KXRF technology to measure
Pb in bone in vivo and identify motor function associations with cumulative Pb exposure. In summary, the
specific aims for the proposal are: 1) Build, optimize, and validate the portable KXRF system using in-lab
samples; 2) Validate the portable KXRF system for in vivo measurement in a group of 100 people; and 3) Test
the hypothesis that motor dysfunction is associated with higher cumulative Pb exposure. At completion of this
study, a novel portable KXRF measurement system will be validated for use in populations previously
inaccessible by current technology restrictions and can lead to future health studies of relevant at-risk
populations. The proposal will advance the goals of the NIOSH Exposure Assessment Program by developing
a new tool for worker surveillance of critical biomarkers to occupational health. The NIOSH Sector Agendas for
Construction and Manufacturing have a priority area in identifying health hazards and musculoskeletal
disorders. Pb exposure is a primary concern for construction workers as metal exposures are a common health
risk for workers. Pb monitoring is a centerpiece to metal and electronics manufacturing and recycling, and
cumulative exposure assessment is critical in identifying the lifetime risks to these workers. In the future the
technology developed as part of this proposal can be advanced for use in a variety of metal exposure
assessment settings and surveillance programs. In addition to the valuable technology, the proposed trainin...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10220766
- **Project number:** 5K01OH011648-03
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Aaron James Specht
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $104,437
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10220766

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10220766, A novel portable KXRF measurement system for in vivo metal measurements (5K01OH011648-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10220766. Licensed CC0.

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