Metal concentrations in human lung tissue, with special reference to age, sex, cause of death, emphysema and contamination of lung tissue

Abstract

Nine element concentrations in the lung tissues of 2,274 autopsies were determined in Japan by atomic absorption spectrometry. The metals determined were iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, cobalt, nickel, lead, and chromium. The range, mean, standard deviation, mode and median are described for each metal. Moreover, these data were analyzed statistically, based on their sex, age, degree of lung contamination (color and the amount of particle deposition), severity of pulmonary emphysema and cause of death. Iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and cobalt concentrations in the lung tissue seemed to be affected mostly by physiological variation and the levels in the blood. On the other hand, nickel, lead and chromium concentrations might reflect environmental exposure. Chromium concentration especially increased with age and showed a significantly positive correlation with the degree of contamination and severity of emphysema.