Increased chromium and nickel content in lung tissue.
In random autopsies chromium (n = 23) and nickel (n = 16) together with various other metals, were determined in lung tissue by means of flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. With increasing age a significant increase in concentration of both chromium and nickel was found. This is evaluated as an indicator for a corresponding exposure, which is marked by a local (workplace) and regional (environment) share of a clear increase in the total chromium/nickel load and by a life-long duration. The question arises, whether the selective concentration (long half-life) of the inhaled chromium and nickel particles/compounds in the lung are to be regarded as a stochastic lung cancer risk.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis*
D002857:Chromium; D009532:Nickel