Abstract

Two thousand two-hundred and thirty-three deciduous teeth were collected from cities, industrialized areas, and rural and fishing communities in several Norwegian counties. Teeth from Medieval Bergen were also included. Lead analysis of whole teeth revealed that in Norway there are many communities where lead absorption is minimal and comparable to background absorption in ancient societies. Such conditions are reflected in a lead level of 2.92 μg/g in deciduous teeth. However, the analysis also revealed that urbanization and industrialization increased lead absorption, although the mean level recorded in Norway of 3.73 μg/g was far lower than normal levels found in other countries. Automobile exhaust was rejected as an important source of undue lead absorption. This study indicated that 0.18% of Norwegian children from the ages of 7 to 12 yr may have been victims of undue absorption, reflected in a tooth lead level of about 70 μg/g.