Concentrations of 15 trace elements in some selected adult human tissues and body fluids of clinical interest from several countries : results from a pilot study for the establishment of reference values

Over 60 investigators, rnany of thern with an outstanding international reputation as analysts were requested for reliable data from their countries on elemental concentrations in normal adult human sarnples of clinical interest. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, erythrocytes, urine, milk, liver and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Cr, Co, CU, F, I, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South and Central Americas, Australia and New Zealand. This survey even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of the trace element scenario around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong inf luence on the distribution pattern of several elements such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn. A limited canparison of the available information on soil status of different countries revealed interesting associations for elements such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to supply a reasonable arnount of data on sarnples requested for this project. Regretably, for a nurnber of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as CU, Fe and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted ef forts by International Organizations and Agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present