Cadmium in deciduous teeth of Norwegian children

Abstract

Two thousand one hundred and sixty‐nine deciduous teeth were collected from cities, industrialized areas, rural and fishing communities in several Norwegian counties. Teeth from Medieval Bergen were also included. Cd‐analysis revealed that a third of the collected teeth had a level below 60 ng/g. It is suggested that this corresponds to a back‐ground level in an ideal uncontaminated environment. There was no correlation between industrialization or urbanization and tooth‐Cd levels in Norway. Buskerud and Hordaland had the highest county levels. The study did not reveal the sources of Cd absorption or register undue burdens in Norwegian children. It is assumed, however, that different dental levels reflect different degrees of absorption, dependent on Cd‐content in food, beverages and drinking water. The levels presented may serve as references in future research on Cd‐absorption in Norway as it is believed that tooth‐Cd can be used as an index to body burden.