Zinc and copper levels in serum and urine: relationship to biological, habitual and environmental factors.

Zinc and copper levels were determined in serum and urine of 434 subjects living in an industrial and an agricultural area of Tarragona Province, Spain. Zinc and copper concentrations were related to a range of factors such as sex, age, blood pressure, and drinking and smoking habits. Geometric mean serum zinc and copper concentrations were, respectively, 113.9 and 84 micrograms dl-1, while the mean values for urine zinc and copper concentrations were 698.7 and 26.6 micrograms g-1 creatinine. Serum zinc and copper levels and urine copper concentrations in men were significantly lower than in women, while there were no differences in serum or urinary zinc and copper levels with age. The consumption of alcohol significantly reduced the levels of zinc and copper in serum, whereas blood pressure had no influence on these values. The levels of zinc and copper in urine were not affected by the smoking and drinking habits, place of residence, or blood pressure. In general terms, the results of this study agree with previously reported values from different countries.