Measurement of kidney cadmium in embalmed New Zealand cadavers

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic (carcinogenic) metal found in food because of its presence in the environment. New Zealand has elevated levels of Cd in soil due to the long term use of Cd-containing phosphate fertilisers. It is therefore likely that New Zealanders have a high Cd body burden which might have health implications. The aims of this study were to determine whether Cd levels in kidney cortex samples are affected by the embalming process and whether kidney cortex samples from embalmed cadavers (e.g. those used for medical student teaching purposes) can be used as a reliable indicator of Cd body burden. Kidney cortex samples from cadavers preserved with different embalming fluids were analysed for Cd by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A perfused pig kidney model was used to investigate the effects of embalming on kidney cortex Cd levels. We report considerable variability in Cd levels in kidney cortex samples according to the embalming fluid used; this suggests that the embalming fluid influences tissue Cd concentrations. All pig kidney model perfusions resulted in leaching of Cd from the kidney cortex. We conclude that analysis of Cd in embalmed tissues does not give a reliable indication of in-life Cd levels.