Platinum concentrations were determined in 166 air samples from Munich and
in 178 urine samples from individuals without occupational exposure. The ai
rborne platinum concentrations were from samplings in the public transport
system of the city of Munich during regular rides from 1993 to 1996. Compar
ing the years 1993 and 1994 (7.3 +/- 6.5 pg/m(3)) with 1995 and 1996 (21.5
+/- 13.8 pg/m(3)), an increase of airborne platinum concentration was detec
table. The highest concentration was 62 pg/m(3). The mean urinary platinum
concentration of the 178 individuals was 6.5 ng/g creatinine (S.D. = 6.4; m
edian = 4.3; max = 45 ng/g creatinine) and exhibited a non-normal distribut
ion. The platinum concentration of 96% of the individuals tested was below
20 ng/g creatinine; higher values were associated with dental gold/platinum
alloys. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.