Evaluation of trace elements in human lung tissue. III. Correspondence analysis.
The concentrations of 22 trace elements in 13 segments of both lungs of eight individuals were subjected to correspondence analysis, a display method based on principal components analysis. Sample groups were isolated which coincide with the age of the individuals. The firmness of the clusters decreased however with aging. The elements Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Pb, Sc, Se and V had the most important influence on the grouping. It can be assumed that they are enriched in the tissue by inhaled particulate matter, deposited and accumulated in an insoluble form. The correlation between the elements is proof for their similar behaviour in the lungs: Co, Cr, Sb, Sc and V have a long biological half-life in the tissue, whereas Zn and K are easily removed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis* / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements