The study of exposure to cadmium in the general population. I. Autopsy studies.

From 1982 to 1986 samples of materials (liver tissue, kidney cortex) were collected from 438 autopsies in Prague. The age of persons was over 50 years and residence time in the area was at least 10 years Concentrations of Cd and Zn were determined in the kidney cortex and the liver tissue using the AAS method. On the basis of the Questionnaire for Relatives, data on smoking habits, and occupational history of the investigated persons were obtained. The results of the study confirmed that the concentration of Cd in analyzed tissues did not exceed values reported in the literature for people of similar age living in Cd uncontaminated areas. In smokers significant increase of Cd in the kidney cortex was found in all age and sex groups. The body burden of Cd in smokers is significantly higher.