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Fluoride and Cadmium Content in Urine of Children in Gdańsk
W. Czarnowski, E. Hać, J. Krechniak*
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Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Hallera 107; PL 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2003;12(3):357-360
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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was (a) to determine the concentration of fluoride and cadmium in urine of 1240 children ( 635 boys, 605 girls) from Gda¨˝sk, aged 7-14; and (b) to examine whether a correlation exists between age and sex of children, the location of the schools, and the urinary levels of fluoride and cadmium. Fluoride was determined potentiometrically using a fluoride-specific electrode. Cadmium was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean fluoride concentration in urine in children attending two schools located close to a phosphate fertilizer waste disposal site was 2.14 ĄŔ 1.16 mg FĄĄ/L, in three others 1.05 ĄŔ 0.49 mg FĄĄ/L. The mean cadmium concentration in urine was 0.17 ĄŔ 0.19 ŚĚg Cd/L. In children aged 7 the cadmium concentration was significantly lower than in older ones.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.