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Platinum concentration in silicone breast implant material and capsular tissue by ICP-MS

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Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of platinum (Pt) in silicone breast implant gel (range, 0.26–48.90 μg g−1 Pt; n=15), elastomer (range, 3.05–28.78 μg g−1 Pt; n=7), double lumen (range, 5.79–125.27 μg g−1 Pt; n=7), foam (range, 5.79–8.36 μg g−1 Pt; n=2), and capsular tissue (range, 0.003–0.272 μg g−1 Pt; n=15). The results show that very high levels of Pt are present in the encasing elastomer, double lumen, and foam envelope materials. Silicone breast implants can be a source of significant Pt exposure for individuals with these implants.

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Acknowledgements

I thank Ms. Jessica Caplan and LT Dr. John W. Ejnik for assistance with the ICP-MS. COL Dr. Kip Hartman, Ms. Maggie A. Meitzler, Mr. Craig R. Morrissette, and several anonymous reviewers provided comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. I am grateful to Mr. Assen Assenov, Dr. Michael R. Harbut, and Ms. Marlene Keeling for discussions. Prof. Klaus Heumann and two anonymous referees provided constructive comments that greatly improved the manuscript, and are gratefully acknowledged. Partial support was provided by a grant from the American Registry of Pathology.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, American University, Washington, DC, 20016, USA

    S. V. M. Maharaj

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  1. S. V. M. Maharaj
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Correspondence to S. V. M. Maharaj.

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Maharaj, S.V.M. Platinum concentration in silicone breast implant material and capsular tissue by ICP-MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 380, 84–89 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2714-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2714-y

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