Comparison of lead levels in human permanent teeth from Strasbourg, Mexico City, and rural zones of Alsace

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Dental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345900690011601· OSTI ID:7024493

Frank, R M; Sargentini-Maier, M L; Turlot, J C; Leroy, M J ^[1]

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1. Univ. Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg (France)

A comparative study of the mean lead concentrations in enamel and dentin of human premolars and permanent molars was conducted by means of a systematic sampling procedure with energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis. In a first series of analyses, no significant statistical differences in mean lead concentrations at various levels of enamel and dentin were noted between young patients of Strasbourg and those of small villages of Alsace, nor between elderly patients living in these two locations, despite the fact that motor traffic was significantly lower in the rural zones. However, in both locations, a significantly higher concentration of lead was observed in enamel and dentin in relation to age. In a second series of analyses, the mean lead concentrations of both dental hard tissues of premolars and permanent molars of young individuals from Strasbourg, rural Alsace, and Mexico City were compared. Significantly higher mean lead concentrations were found in enamel and dentin samples from Mexico City. This was most evident for inner coronal dentin (5.7 and 6.1 times greater than in teeth of Strasbourg and rural zones of Alsace, respectively) and for pulpal root dentin (6.9 and 8.9 times greater than in teeth of Strasbourg and rural zones of Alsace). It is proposed that the higher lead concentrations are related to the higher lead content of motor gasoline and to more intense traffic conditions. The dental hard tissues appear to be of value for the study of environmental lead pollution.

• OSTI ID: 7024493
• Journal Information: Journal of Dental Research; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Dental Research; (USA) Vol. 69:1; ISSN 0022-0345; ISSN JDREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DENTIN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
EUROPE
FRANCE
LATIN AMERICA
LEAD
MAMMALS
MAN
METABOLISM
METALS
MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
ORAL CAVITY
PRIMATES
TEETH
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN EUROPE