Indagine sugli elementi dentari come possibili indicatori biologici di metalli pesanti

Heavy metals strongly contribute to the pollution of the environment, and playing a fundamental role in development of human illnesses and toxic effects. Teeth are valuable bioarchives of information about our organism. They give us information about development, nutrition, stress, and exposure to disease. Aim of our study is to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in human teeth and to investigate the affecting factors. Samples (teeth 79) were collected from Sardinia people, and analyzed for lead, copper, nickel and cadmium concentration using atomic absorption spectrometer graphite furnace (GFAAS). The mean concentrations of Pb, Cu, Cd and Ni were 3,46 μg/g,0,419 μg/g, 0,0257 μg/g,<0,05 μg/g, respectively. A questionnaire was used to gather information on each person, such as age, sex, place where the patient lives, smoking, presence of amalgam fillings. Results indicate that there is a clear relation between metals concentrations and place of living, with smoke, and teeth, age of patient.