Blood levels of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in children in a British Columbia community.

The levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were measured in duplicate whole blood samples of 946 apparently normal children ranging in age from 2 years to 12 years and living in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry: graphite furnace AAS for Cd and Pb, and flame AAS for Cu and Zn. The median and extreme values expressed as milligram of metal per litre of whole blood for the total population were: Cd less than or equal to 0.0005, Cu 1.11 (0.69-1.78), Pb 0.112 (0.020-0.400), and Zn 4.30 (2.10-6.53). No significant variations were noted in the median metal values either with age or with sex. The median Cu, Pb and Zn values were within the normal range.