[The normal level of cadmium, copper and zinc in blood of the viennese population (author's transl)].

The blood content of cadmium, copper and zinc was determined at autopsy in 150 cases of sudden death. In conjunction with a previously-published paper on the blood lead level (mean 26.0 mug0/0) of the Viennese population, these investigations should give the basis for the detection and diagnosis of contamination with heavy metal traces in the blood. Patients with such contamination should be followed up at regular intervals. The results are statistically examined in regard to their variation, standard deviation and reliability. The concentrations of copper and zinc correspond with the values quoted in literature (mean 123.8 mug0/0 Cu, mean 722.1 mug0/0 Zn). The higher blood level of cadmium in comparison with the literature (mean 15.9 mug0/0 Cd) might be caused, among other things, by the increased industrial use of this metal.