Heavy Metals in Normal Japanese Tissues

Abstract

• To obtain the usual values of arsenic, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, methyl mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, vanadium, and zinc in the normal human body, the amounts of 15 metals were determined in 15 male and 15 female Japanese cadavers (average weight, 55 kg [121 lb]). The content of metals found ranged as follows: Zn, 1,800 mg; Cu, 65 mg; Cd, 35 mg; Pb, 25 mg; Mn, 8 mg; Ni, 6 mg; Cr, 4 mg; Hg, 3 mg; Sb, 0.7 mg; MeHg, 0.4 mg.

Cadmium and mercury were higher in Japanese blood than in blood of other people. Cadmium and mercury were absorbed by the metabolic tissues; Cr, Ni, and Pb showed higher concentration in tissue exposed to the environment. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg tended to be higher in females, and Cr, Cu, MeHg, and Mn concentrations tended to be higher in males.