Quantitative determination of metals and other trace compounds in biological samples are crucial in medicine, nutrition, work medicine and other related areas. Considerable progress has been made during the past few years regarding analytical techniques:

• Many trace compounds can now be determined down to reference levels.
• Multielement analysis is possible, making much analytical information achievable from small sample amounts, fast and at a relatively low cost.
• The isotopic composition can be measured with high precision; e.g., natural varations of Fe isotopes in blood can be monitored. 

ALS Scandinavia's Luleå laboratory has developed methods for the analysis of blood, serum, plasma, urine and other human biological samples using ICP-SFMS.