Evaluation of trace element concentrations in human teeth as indicator of environmental contamination

Abstract

This study determined the concentrations of trace elements- Pb, Cd, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in human carious teeth tissues and investigated the effects of  sex and age differences on the trace elements as indicators of environmental contamination. Eighty (80) teeth samples were collected from the Dental  Clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile Ife, Nigeria. The teeth samples were each divided into three parts:  enamel, pulp and dentin by trained dental personnel. These parts were digested in nitric acid and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric  technique. The results of the study showed that the total mean concentrations of trace metals followed the order: Cd < Ni < Cu < Fe < Cr < Pb < Zn. The  concentrations of the metals followed the order pulp > enamel > dentin. With respect to sex, the total mean concentrations of the trace metals followed  the order Zn > Pb > Fe > Cr > Cu > Ni > Cd for the males and Zn > Pb > Cr >Fe > Cu > Ni > Cd for the females. There was no significant difference in the  concentrations of metals with respect to age and sex. The study concluded that the elements were present in the different tissues at varying degrees. The  study showed that teeth can be a very useful indicator for heavy metals exposure assessment in biological samples.