The distribution and accumulation of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, Mn and K in human teeth from five different geological areas of Finland.

Abstract Concentrations of metals were determined in teeth extracted from persons living in areas of Finland where the bedrock is primarily siltstone, orthogneiss, svecofennidic schist, rapakivi granite or kinzigite. The whole teeth were ground to a powder, dissolved in HCl and HNO 3 (2:1 v/v); the metals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Only the concentration of Zn differed significantly in the various geological areas. Zn and Pb accumulated slightly with age at an average rate of 0.48 μg/g and 0.16 μg/g per yr, respectively. No accumulation of the other trace elements was found.