Abstract
Fifty-nine samples of teeth were taken from healthy children 7 to 13 years of age residing in Tokyo. Cadmium, iron, lead and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with flame and graphite furnace atomizer systems, after separation of the enamel and dentine.
The results were as follow:
1) The distributions of trace metals in human teeth were approximately log-normal distributions, both for essential and non-essential metals.
2) Trace metals in teeth showed both mono-peak and double-peak profiles.
3) Significant positive correlations have been found between enamel and dentine for iron.
