Lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in deciduous teeth of norwegian children in the pre‐industrial age

Abstract

By restoration of the 12th century Uvdal stave church in Buskerud county during the summer of 1978, numerous graves were uncovered underneath the floor. The burials had occurred within a time span of more than 600 years, terminating in the year 1804. Seventy‐nine deciduous teeth were collected and analysed for trace elements. It was concluded that there has been an increase of lead in the environment in Norway, concomitant with urbanization and industrialization, while no such increase of cadmium has occurred. It was further concluded that zinc supply was uniform and optimal in preindustrial Uvdal parish, and that this may not be so in many modern rural districts of Norway.