Levels of cadmium, copper and iron in deciduous teeth of children living in Bahrain

Shed deciduous teeth were collected from children (n = 61) living in the island of the State of Bahrain. The teeth were analyzed for the toxic cadmium metal and for the biologically essential metals iron and copper. The mean concentrations of cadmium, iron and copper were 53.8 ng/g, 20.22 mug/g and 2.78 mug/g respectively. The data obtained showed no clear relation between the trace metal concentrations and the children's age, sex, social status or nationality. Teeth from the upper jaw were found to have higher metal concentrations than those obtained from the lower jaw.