Problems in the analysis of cadmium in autopsied tissues

A comparison was made between the concentrations of Cd, Zn, Cu, and Fe in the organs at autopsy and after fixation in formalin for anatomicopathological examination. The concentrations of all the metals were lower in the formalin-fixed organs. In particular, the residual rates of Cd in the renal cortex and medulla were 2.3 and 6.1% of those for the fresh organs, respectively. The Cd concentration in the blood collected at autopsy was several hundred times as high as the value measured before death and failed to be an indicator of exposure to Cd. This phenomenon is specific to Cd and is not found with other metals. In determining Cd in the organs collected at autopsy, it is important to avoid contamination with blood, remove water around the organs quickly, and preserve the organs in sealed polyethylene bags.