Despite its advantages, SEM has certain limitations in toxicology:
Sample Preparation: SEM requires extensive sample preparation, including fixation and coating, which can introduce artifacts or alter the natural state of the sample. Non-Conductive Samples: Non-conductive samples need to be coated with a conductive material, which may obscure surface details. Vacuum Requirement: The requirement for a vacuum environment limits the examination of hydrated biological samples unless specialized techniques such as Environmental SEM are used.
