Dental lead levels in the Galician population, Spain

The aim of this study was to investigate tooth lead concentrations in a Spanish population living in Coruña, Spain. A total of 220 teeth were analysed using a microwave oven digestion procedure and lead content was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Samples were classified according to age, sex, type of tooth, cause of extraction and place of residence. Tooth lead levels followed a logarithmic-normal distribution. The general geometric mean was 10.36 micrograms/g of tooth. There was a significant increase in teeth lead levels with advancing age. Permanent teeth showed higher values (13.09 +/- 1.07 micrograms/g, mean +/- S.E.M.) than deciduous teeth (3.96 +/- 1.07 micrograms/g). However, no differences were found between sexes. High lead concentrations were detected in pathological teeth, particularly in those with periodontal pathology, suggesting a relation between lead levels and dental disease. Nevertheless, teeth with caries did not show any significant lead increase. People living in urban areas of the coast had the highest lead teeth contamination. This is the first study in Spain which describes the tooth lead levels as a marker of lead exposure.