Lead levels in whole blood of an adult population group from Rome.

Pb-blood levels of 801 adult non-occupationally exposed subjects from Rome are reported. The investigation was carried out according to EEC Directive No. 77/312 with acceptable quality control of analytical data. A mean Pb-blood level of 173 micrograms/l (198 micrograms/l for males and 150 micrograms/l for females) was found; good correlations were found between Pb-blood levels and age, sex and smoking habits but no correlation was found in relation to drinking habits, residence and other variables which were examined. In the present survey all the three EEC reference levels were observed.

Total mercury levels in whole blood, hair and fingernails for a population group from Rome and its surroundings.

Whole blood, hair and fingernails of 80 representative subjects from the Province of Rome were analysed for total mercury. The mean value for whole blood was 0.020 mg/kg, for hair 0.51 mg/kg and for nails 1.08 mg/kg. Correlations were found (except for hair) between mercury levels and the number of fish meals, mercury amalgam dental fillings and residence (urban or rural) of the subjects examined. The levels found in hair appear to be influenced by external and individual pollution factors and thus unsuitable for any direct determination of the distribution in other organs of the human body.