RESUMO
The amount of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) present in whole blood of 118 teenagers were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The blood samples of 23 healthy teenagers were compared with the blood samples of 95 adolescents who were diagnosed with non-toxic diffuse goiter (NTDG). The study was aimed at examining whether in addition to mild iodine deficiency other trace elements could contribute to the development of non-toxic diffuse goiter. The results indicated that the levels of Pb, Cd and Mn in the blood samples of teenagers diagnosed with NTDG were higher than that in healthy children. Also, the results indicated that higher levels of metals were present in the blood samples with NTDG in adolescent patients who lived in areas with a higher amount of pollution.