Retention of lead and cadmium in prehistoric and modern human teeth

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80126-4· OSTI ID:5837327

Grandjean, P; Jorgensen, P J ^[1]

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1. Odense Univ. (Denmark)

In 5,000-year-old premolars from Nubia and in 500-year-old teeth from Greenland, the lead concentrations were very low; modern teeth contained 10-100 times more lead. In contrast, cadmium concentrations varied by 30-fold in the two prehistorical populations; modern-day cadmium levels were in the lower range of this interval. These data suggest that, when compared to preindustrial exposures, the impact of current environmental lead pollution is considerable, while that of cadmium pollution is much less.

• OSTI ID: 5837327
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Vol. 53:1; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CADMIUM
RETENTION
LEAD
TEETH
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
METALS
ORAL CAVITY
POPULATIONS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology