Stuart Slorach

Lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in meat, liver and kidney of Swedish pigs and cattle in 1984-88.

During the period 1984-88 several hundred samples of meat, liver and kidney from Swedish pigs and cattle were analysed for lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. Analysis was performed by AAS and extensive quality assurance was carried out. The mean lead levels in pig meat, liver and kidney were less than 0.005, 0.019 and 0.016 mg/kg, respectively: the mean levels in the corresponding bovine tissues were less than 0.005, 0.047 and 0.097 mg/kg. The mean cadmium levels in pig meat, liver and kidney were 0.001, 0.019 and 0.11 mg/kg, whilst those in the corresponding bovine tissues were 0.001, 0.070 and 0.39 mg/kg. The mean arsenic levels in pig meat, liver and kidney were 0.024, 0.023 and 0.019, respectively and those in the corresponding bovine tissues were lower, none exceeding 0.015 mg/kg. The mean mercury levels in pig meat, liver and kidney were 0.009, 0.015 and 0.019 mg/kg respectively, while those in the corresponding bovine tissues were 0.005, 0.006 and 0.010 mg/kg. A decrease in the levels of both arsenic and mercury in pig tissues was found during the period studied, which may be due to a decrease in the use of fish meal in pig feed.

Methods for integrated exposure monitoring of lead and cadmium

An international pilot monitoring study on exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) has been implemented in Beijing, Yokohama, Stockholm, and Zagreb as part of the UNEP/WHO human exposure assessment locations (HEAL) Program. The main objective was to develop and test methods, including methods for quality assurance, for monitoring of personal exposure to Pb and Cd. The study included analytical training for Pb and Cd in blood, air filters, dust, diets, and feces, as well as exposure monitoring activities in small groups of nonsmoking women, 23-53 years of age, during 7 consecutive days. Airborne particulates, duplicate diets, feces, and blood were collected. An extensive quality assurance program was implemented in order to assure the reliability and comparability of the monitoring data. The main problem in the sample collection was associated with the air monitoring. The pumps were noisy, and the batteries had to be recharged every 6-8 hr. Collection of duplicate diets during 1 week gave good estimates of average dietary intakes of Pb and Cd. The metal contents in feces were found useful for evaluation of total peroral intakes. The methods used made it possible to demonstrate that the diet was the main source of Cd exposure at all the HEAL sites.

Organochlorine contaminants in Swedish human milk: Studies conducted at the national food administration 1981–1990

The concentrations of selected organochlorine contaminants in Swedish human milk have been determined in a number of studies conducted at the National Food Administration during the 1980s. It was shown that the time of sampling post-partum (subsequent to childbirth) had little effect on the levels of the DDT complex, beta-HCH, HCB and PCBs in breast milk fat. However, the levels of these compounds decreased with increasing parity (number of children born). For this reason it is recommended that primiparae (women nursing their first child) be sampled when comparing levels over time and in milk from mothers from different geographical areas. The levels of organochlorine compounds in the fat of breast milk from primiparae living in different parts of Sweden were similar. Finally, a study on time trends in concentrations of these compounds in milk from mothers living in Uppsala showed that a marked decline in levels has taken place during the 1980s.

Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins in human milk from Swedish mothers

Ten human milk samples, collected from two towns, Uppsala and Sundsvall, in Sweden in 1994 were analysed for selected chlorinated pesticides (HCB, alpha- and gamma-HCH, DDT, DDD and DDE) and PCB congeners (PCBs 28, 77, 101, 105, 118, 126, 138, 153, 156, 158, 167, 169 and 180), PCDDs and PCDFs. The levels found in this study, including the toxic equivalent (TEQ) values, showed a slight downward trend between 1986 and 1994 and are somewhat lower than levels reported from other countries. The contribution of both the mono- and non-ortho PCBs, together with that of PCDD/Fs to the total TEQ values was assessed. Over 70% of the TCDD equivalents was derived from PCBs, PCB 126 being the major contributor. Other high PCB contributors were PCBs 156 and 118. The levels of HCB, alpha- and gamma-HCH, and sigma DDT were generally higher in Uppsala than in Sundsvall. They were, however, over 50% lower in 1990 than in 1986 and have since changed little. For the PCDD/Fs the results show a marked decrease (ca 50%) in levels between 1986 and 1994. There is an indication that PCB 153 and PCB 126 may be good indicators for total PCB and TEQ levels respectively.

Lead, chromium, tin, iron and cadmium in foods in welded cans

The levels of lead, chromium, tin, iron and cadmium in fruit and vegetables in welded tinplate cans were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The levels found were compared with those in foods in soldered tinplate cans and fresh foods. The results show that the lead levels in foods in welded cans were much lower than those in similar foods in soldered cans. Foods in unlacquered welded cans contain much more lead, chromium and tin than foods in lacquered welded cans. The cadmium and iron levels in canned fruit and vegetables in welded cans were similar to those found in the corresponding fresh foods.

Tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in the saliva of habitual male snuff dippers

Saliva was collected every ten minutes from habitual male snuff dippers and analysed for tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA). Detectable levels of at least two TSNA were found in all samples collected between 10 and 30 minutes after the snuff had been placed in the mouth. Total concentrations of TSNA up to 241 ng/g were found in the saliva. Trace levels of TSNA were still found in the saliva 20 minutes after the snuff had been removed.

Lead in table wines on the Swedish market

The levels of lead in 67 different table wines on the Swedish market in 1982 and 1986 have been determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean level found was 73 micrograms/l (range 16-170 micrograms/l). Little difference was found between the levels in red, white and rosé wines (mean levels 76, 75 and 65 micrograms/l, ranges 16-120, 34-170 and 35-120 micrograms/l respectively). The average daily dietary intake of lead by adults in Sweden has been estimated to be about 30 micrograms, excluding any contribution from wines and spirits. The average adult per capita consumption of wine is about 45 ml per day. This would thus give an additional intake of about 3 micrograms of lead and the intake of lead could be doubled by consuming half a litre of wine daily.

Design and use of quality control samples in a collaborative study of trace metals in daily diets

SummaryA series of six simulated diets consisting of mixtures of a limited number of foodstuffs have been produced, primarily to be used as external quality control samples in the ongoing WHO/UNEP HEAL-project. Lead and cadmium in the simulated diets have been determined by several reference laboratories. Zinc, copper, iron, manganese, chromium, nickel, calcium, aluminium, cobalt and arsenic have so far been analysed by at least two different laboratories. Examples of reference values and of the practical use of the diets in analytical quality assurance are given.

Dietary Exposure to Lead and Cadmium in Sweden

AbstractA duplicate diet study on male and female pensioners in 1970–71 showed mean daily dietary lead intakes of 30 μg and 19 μg respectively. The corresponding cadmium intakes were 10.5μg and 12.9 μg. Analysis of duplicate diets collected during seven consecutive 24-hour periods from 15 women in Stockholm in 1988 showed a mean daily lead intake of 26 μg (range 13–40 μg). The corresponding cadmium intake was 8.5μg (range 5.7–14 μg). Analysis of faeces samples corresponding to the duplicate diets showed similar lead and cadmium contents (mean lead content 24 μg day−1, range 10–41 μg day−1; mean cadmium content 8.9 μg day−1 range 5.5–12 μg day−1). The median lead and cadmium concentrations in human milk collected in Uppsala were 2 μg kg−1 and 0.1 mg kg−1 respectively. The median weekly intakes of lead and cadmium by the breast-fed infants were calculated to be 2 μg kg−1 body weight and 0.1 μg kg−1 body weight. Analysis of seven daily diets, together representing the weekly diet of an adult Swedish male, sh...

The WHO/UNEP Pilot Project on Assessment of Human Exposure to Pollutants through Biological Monitoring.

The objectives, development and current status of the WHO/UNEP Pilot Project on Assessment of Human Exposure to Pollutants through Biological Monitoring are described. The project is being carried out within the framework of UNEPs Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS) and is supported by funds from UNEP. The long-term objective is to develop and strengthen national, regional and global biological monitoring programmes that will make it possible to accurately assess human exposure to selected toxic pollutants by measuring their concentrations in human tissues and body fluids. In this pilot project the levels of lead and cadmium in venous blood, cadmium in kidney cortex and certain organochlorine compounds in breast milk are being determined in selected population groups in 10–12 countries in different parts of the world. Each participating laboratory has been required to achieve satisfactory results in the quality assurance phase of the project before starting to analyse the human samples and quality assurance has been continued during the monitoring phase. The project started in 1978 and is scheduled for completion by July 1982.