Lead in teeth: The influence of the tooth type and the sample within a tooth on lead levels

Abstract

Different sections of permanent teeth have been sampled and the lead levels estimated using carbon furnace AAS. Very high levels of lead (500–3400 μg g −1) and other trace metals (Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn) occur on the surface of the teeth, falling off rapidly a few micrometres into the teeth. Lead levels in the bulk enamel of incisors vary depending on the position within the tooth, the highest values occur on the lingual side near the gums and the lowest levels on the labial side near the tooth top. The ratio of the concentration of lead in enamel to dentine and to circumpulpal dentine was found to be 1:2:6, and within the dentine the lead levels were highest in the root dentine. The root dentine in the permanent teeth of eight, near complete or representative, sets of teeth was analysed for lead. The ratio ([Pb] tooth/[Pb] total set) decreased in the order: first molars > central incisors > lateral incisors > canines > premolars > second molars > third molars. This order inversely correlates with the age of formation or eruption of the teeth, i.e. the older teeth have the highest levels of lead in the dentine. Dentine appears to be the best material to use to estimate lead, particularly in relation to the integrated lead intake of a person. Dentine lead was determined in a small sample of deciduous teeth obtained from children living in rural areas. The levels were found to be slightly less than for children living in new housing urban areas and significantly less than for children living in older houses of urban areas.