Biomaterial Database

Lead retention in ancient Nubian and contemporary populations. 1979

P Grandjean, and O V Nielsen, and I M Shapiro

The lead concentration in bone and tooth has been determined in 105 well-preserved Nubian skeletons from the period 3300 B.C. - 750 A.D., as well as in 17 individuals from present-day Denmark. The analyses were performed blind in two different laboratories, and the results were in close agreement. Compared to contemporary lead levels in Denmark, the oldest Nubian bones contained about 10 times less lead, while the teeth contained about 30 times less lead. Small increases in lead retention of Nubians during historical time periods were associated with early uses of lead.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007854	Lead	A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D001822	Body Burden	The total amount of a chemical, metal or radioactive substance present at any time after absorption in the body of man or animal.	Body Burdens,Burden, Body,Burdens, Body
D001842	Bone and Bones	A specialized CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is the main constituent of the SKELETON. The principal cellular component of bone is comprised of OSTEOBLASTS; OSTEOCYTES; and OSTEOCLASTS, while FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS and hydroxyapatite crystals form the BONE MATRIX.	Bone Tissue,Bone and Bone,Bone,Bones,Bones and Bone,Bones and Bone Tissue,Bony Apophyses,Bony Apophysis,Condyle,Apophyses, Bony,Apophysis, Bony,Bone Tissues,Condyles,Tissue, Bone,Tissues, Bone
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000076144	Egypt, Ancient	A civilization of ancient Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in the area of Egypt. It was active from 3100 B.C. until its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.	Ancient Egypt
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults