The levels of cadmium, zinc and copper in the renal cortex and liver of the inhabitants of the copper basin.

Tissues were analysed from 60 subjects deceased at the age of 18-82 (mean 49 years), inhabitants of the southwestern region of Poland (Legnica Copper Basin). Mean cadmium, zinc and copper concentrations determined by flame AAS were for renal cortex 41.8; 47.8 and 2.3 micrograms Me/g tissue, respectively. The respective levels in the liver were 2.3; 51.6 and 4.6 micrograms Me/g tissue (w.w.). A broad range of cadmium levels was found in renal cortex (4.2-129.3.micrograms/g), with the highest values in the 40-60 age group. The effect of tobacco smoking is more evident than in other countries: 26.3 micrograms/g in non-smokers vs. 54.6 micrograms/g in smokers. Similar proportions were found by computing the whole body burden of cadmium. Compared with other regions of Poland the environmental exposure of humans to cadmium is moderate, however, it is higher than in other European countries.