The relation between lead concentrations in human dental tissues and in blood

The purpose of this study was: (1) to measure the lead concentrations in va rious parts of the teeth (enamel, dentine and circumpulpal dentine) and in blood from individuals of a remote rural South African community; (2) to in vestigate any correlation between the lead concentrations in these various dental tissues and in blood; and (3) to estimate blood lead from the tooth lead concentrations reported in other studies. Primary teeth and blood were collected from 48 children and analysed by graphite-furnace atomic absorpt iometry. The following median concentrations (expressed in mg/kg) of lead w ere found: blood, 0.025; enamel, 0.25; dentine, 2.04; circumpulpal dentine, 6.71. The tooth lead concentrations were similar to those from other studi es from remote rural areas but comparisons of blood lead were not possible in the absence of previous data. Blood lead in other studies could be calcu lated from the ratios here reported. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.