Cent Eur J Public Health 2000, 8(2):117-119

The concentration levels of Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn and Se in blood of the population in the Czech Republic

Beneš B.¹, Spěváčková V.¹, Šmíd J.¹, Čejchanová M.¹, Černá M.², Šubrt P.², Mareček J.²

¹ National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic

² Regional Hygiene Station, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic

Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the population serves, among others, in design of regulations concerning health protection, determination of exposure limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in whole blood of the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The blood was collected during 1996-1998 from 1,216 blood donors (896 males and 320 females, average age 33 years) and 758 children (397 boys and 361 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralisation in a microwave digestion system was used in sample preparation. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the Control material Seronorm Whole Blood 404107 and Seronorm Serum 704121, Nycomed. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in blood found for adult (medians) were 0.7 µg Cd.l^-1, 800 µg Cu.l^-1, 0.78 µg Hg.l^-1, 41 µg Pb.l^-1, 76 µg Se.l^-1, and 5,800 µg Zn.l^-1, respectively. Statistically significant differences between men and women have been found in the concentrations of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. In the juvenile population following medians of concentrations have been found: 0.15 µg Cd.l^-1, 1,047 µg Cu.l^-1, 0.46 µg Hg.l^-1, 34 µg Pb.l^-1, 69 µg Se.l^-1, and 8,180 µg Zn.l^-1. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found only in Pb and Zn concentrations. Concentrations of the studied elements correspond to the published values concerning population not exposed professionally.

Published: May 1, 2000  Show citation