Manganese in lung tissue: study of Mexico City residents' autopsy records from the 1960s and 1990s.

During the conduct of autopsies performed on residents of Mexico City during the 1960s (20 males, 19 females) and 1990s (30 males and 18 females), concentrations of manganese in lung were studied with atomic absorption spectrometry. Concentrations of manganese were not significantly greater in the samples obtained in the 1990s (1.87+/-0.8 microg/gm [mean +/- standard deviation]) than in samples from the 1960s (1.72+/-1.2 microg/gm). Concentrations were not correlated with gender, smoking habit, age, or cause of death; however, there was a correlation with occupation. The findings suggest that manganese exposure via air does not represent a health hazard to residents of Mexico City, given that lung concentrations of manganese remained stable during the 30-y period studied. Investigators should monitor concentrations of manganese in suspended particles to follow-up on these findings.

Metals in lung tissue from autopsy cases in Mexico City residents: comparison of cases from the 1950s and the 1980s.

In autopsies performed on residents of Mexico City during the 1950s and 1980s (45 males and 24 females and 42 males and 42 females, respectively), concentrations of cadmium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and lead in the lungs were studied by atomic absorption spectrometry. Sharp increases were noted in samples taken in the 1980s compared to those from the 1950s. In samples from both time periods, the concentrations were influenced by gender. Smoking was not associated with higher levels of the metals. Only lead seemed to have a relation with age. The enormous differences by gender in the 1950s could be due to different patterns of exposure. The differences among samples from both periods appear to be associated with the increase of air pollutants in the metropolitan areas of Mexico City during the years under study. These results reinforce the importance of studying lung tissue to monitor air pollution by metals.