Development of a low-metal adhesive tape to detect and localize metals in or on the stratum corneum at parts per million levels

Tape-stripping is a well-established method for sampling the stratum corneum (SC). We have developed a tape with low-metal content suitable for use with particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), an analytical technique based on X-ray spectrometry. PIXE analysis of tape-stripped samples of SC is a reliable and minimally invasive means of identifying and quantifying metals present at parts per million levels. Assay feasibility and reproducibility was demonstrated using human volunteers. This new tape-strip technique has potential applications in exposure and decontamination assessment, diagnosis of metal dermatitis, forensics, and in environmental research.