title: Spatial distribution of lead in human primary teeth as a biomarker of pre- and neonatal lead exposure.
abstract: Lead remains one of the most hazardous toxins in our environment. Because the toxic effects of lead are most prominent during early development, it is important to develop a suitable biomarker for lead exposure during the pre- and neonatal periods. In the present study, the spatial distribution of lead was measured in the enamel and dentine of ten human primary teeth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The neonatal line, visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy, was used to demarcate the pre- and postnatal regions of the sample teeth. Lead levels in pre- and postnatally formed enamel and dentine were compared to blood-lead levels measured at birth and one year of age for four of these participants. Mean dentine-lead levels ranged from 0.17+/-0.02 to 5.60+/-1.79 microg/g, and mean enamel-lead levels ranged from 0.04+/-0.01 to 1.47+/-0.20 microg/g. The results of this preliminary study showed that the spatial distribution of lead in dentine reflected the blood-lead levels. The present study demonstrates a methodology where the spatial distribution of lead in the dentine of human primary teeth may be used to obtain temporal information of environmental lead exposure during the pre- and neonatal periods.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Pathology Research Unit, Department of Oral Pathology, University of Sydney, Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. marora@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Suzy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elhlou
authors.forename: Norman J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: D Murray
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bayl
authors.forename: Sheena W Y
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007854:Lead