Determination of normal concentration levels of Cd,Pb, Hg,Cu, Zn and Se in urine of the population in the Czech Republic

Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the population serves, among others, in design of regulations concerning health protection, determination of exposition limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in urine of the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The urine has been collected during 1996-2000 from 1192 individuals (816 males and 376 females, average age 34.6 years) and 2008 children (1052 boys and 956 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralization in a microwave digestion system was used in sample preparation. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the Control Materials Seronorm 403,125 and BioRad 69,041. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in urine found for adult (medians) were 0.36 microgram Cd.g-1 creatinine, 10.6 micrograms Cu.g-1 creatinine, 0.68 microgram Hg.g-1 creatinine, 3.3 micrograms Pb.g-1 creatinine, 6.2 micrograms Se.g-1 creatinine, and 397 micrograms Zn.g-1 creatinine, respectively. Statistically significant differences between men and women have been found in the concentrations of Cu and Hg. In the juvenile population following concentrations have been found: 0.29 microgram Cd.g-1 creatinine, 16.1 micrograms Cu.g-1 creatinine, 0.32 microgram Hg.g-1 creatinine, 4.8 micrograms Pb.g-1 creatinine, 10.2 micrograms Se.g-1 creatinine and 460 micrograms Zn.g-1 creatinine. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found only in Cu and Hg concentrations. Concentrations of the studied elements correspond to the published values concerning population not exposed professionally.     

The concentration levels of Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn and Se in blood of the population in the Czech Republic

Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the population serves, among others, in design of regulations concerning health protection, determination of exposure limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in whole blood of the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The blood was collected during 1996-1998 from 1,216 blood donors (896 males and 320 females, average age 33 years) and 758 children (397 boys and 361 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralisation in a microwave digestion system was used in sample preparation. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the Control material Seronorm Whole Blood 404107 and Seronorm Serum 704121, Nycomed. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in blood found for adult (medians) were 0.7 microgram Cd.l-1, 800 micrograms Cu.l-1, 0.78 microgram Hg.l-1, 41 micrograms Pb.l-1, 76 micrograms Se.l-1, and 5,800 micrograms Zn.l-1, respectively. Statistically significant differences between men and women have been found in the concentrations of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. In the juvenile population following medians of concentrations have been found: 0.15 microgram Cd.l-1, 1,047 micrograms Cu.l-1, 0.46 microgram Hg.l-1, 34 micrograms Pb.l-1, 69 micrograms Se.l-1, and 8,180 micrograms Zn.l-1. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found only in Pb and Zn concentrations. Concentrations of the studied elements correspond to the published values concerning population not exposed professionally.     

Determination of normal concentration levels of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn in hair of the child population in the Czech Republic

Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn) in the population serve, among others, in the designing of regulations of exposure limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency in essential trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in the hair of children in the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples of hair were collected during 1994- 2001 from 3,556 children (1,741 boys and 1,815 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralization in a microwave digestion system was used following a washing procedure. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the control materials CRM Human Hair GBW 07601. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in hair found for children were (in medians) 0.14 microg Cd.g(-1), 0.22 microg Cr.g(-1), 12 microg Cu.g(-1), 0.19 microg Hg.g(-1), 1.6 microg Pb.g(-1), 0.22 microg Se.g(-1) and 124 microg Zn.g(-1), respectively. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found for Cd, Cu and Zn. Concentrations of the elements under study correspond to the published values for the non-exposed population.     

Blood lead levels in the general population of Taiwan,Republic of China

The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental lead exposure of the general population in Taiwan. A total of 2919 residents of Taiwan were selected by multistage sampling methods. The participants were characterized by questionnaires and 10 ml venous blood was collected for blood lead measurement. A quality assurance/quality control program was designed during the analysis of blood lead levels. The mean blood lead level of 2719 residents without occupational lead exposure was 8.29 ± 5.92 g/dl. After adjustment for age and sex distribution to the Taiwan general population, the mean blood lead level was 8.10 g/dl. Adjusted for an 11% underestimation of blood lead levels among the six laboratories, the mean blood lead level was estimated to be 8.99 g/dl. This study also found that blood lead levels were associated with personal characteristics, i.e., gender, ethnic group, education level; lifestyle factors, i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption, sources of drinking water; and residential location, i.e., levels of urbanization, distance of house from the road. However, age, floor of residence, milk consumption, betel nut consumption, and Chinese herbal drug consumption were not found to be associated with blood lead levels. These results show that blood lead levels in Taiwan residents were not higher than in most developed and developing countries. Environmental lead pollution does not seem to be a serious problem in Taiwan.     

Retrospective study of concentration levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Se in serum of the Czech population in time period 1970-1999.

The retrospective study evolution of trends in concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Se in the population of the Czech Republic over 30 years period could be useful in design of regulations concerning health protection, prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements and have considerable economic importance. Concentrations of the named elements in the serum were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after mineralisation in a microwave digestion system. The 1433 samples of serum (730 males and 703 females, average age 48.7 and 49.1 years respectively) from a time period 1970-1995 were obtained from the Serum bank of National Institute of Public Health and volunteers (1999). Serum samples from the years 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 1999 were examined. The accuracy of the results was checked by means of the Control material Seronorm Whole Blood 404,107 and Seronorm Serum 704,121, Nycomed. The concentration of Cd had a decreasing trend for the years 1975-1999 (0.82 microgram Cd.l-1 vs 0.47 microgram Cd.l-1). The levels of Pb are falling in the interval 1970-1980 (15.6 micrograms Pb.l-1 vs. 6.6 micrograms Pb.l-1). In year 1985 concentration of Pb increased (10.7 micrograms Pb.l-1) but subsequently decreased again (1995--6.4 micrograms Pb.l-1). In year 1999, it was 8.9 micrograms.l-1. The concentration of Cu decreased in period 1970-1990 (1525 micrograms Cu.l-1 vs. 990 micrograms Cu.l-1). From 1990 to 1999 the levels of Cu had an increasing tendency (1999--1060 micrograms Cu.l-1). Levels of Se in the interval 1970-1985 were surprisingly equal (58.1 micrograms Se.l(-1)-54.4 micrograms Se.l-1). However in the interval 1986-1990 the level of Se sharp declined (38.3 micrograms Se.l-1). Since 1990 levels of Se in serum increased again, up to 67.1 micrograms Se.l-1 in 1999. Statistically significant differences between men and women were found only in Cu and Pb concentrations. Concentrations of under study elements corresponded to the published values concerning unexposed population.     

Human exposure to heavy metals in the vicinity of Portuguese solid waste incinerators--Part 1: biomonitoring of Pb, Cd and Hg in blood of the general population

Human exposure to heavy metals makes it necessary to monitor these elements in the human body if the objective is to relate heavy metal exposure to adverse health effects. In Portugal, biomonitoring projects on heavy metals are being carried out on people living in the vicinity of solid waste incinerators. The projects are being developed in the ambit of two environmental health surveillance programs related to solid waste incineration facilities, one near Lisbon and the other on Madeira Island, that have the main objective of guaranteeing the safeguard of public health in relation to the potential negative impact of incineration processes on human health. These programs are the only ones in the country that integrate a systematic observation of human exposure to heavy metals as determined by the respective body burden in several population groups. Therefore, they are the only ones that are currently able to provide systematic data from Portuguese regions on the extent and pattern of human exposure to this type of pollutants. The present paper is the first of a series of three prepared papers with the objective of presenting and discussing available data. It addresses exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury as determined by their levels in blood of general population adults. Results suggest the effectiveness of source control measures in relation to both incinerators under study, similarly to what has been concluded from previous studies addressing exposure to dioxins. They also show, in relation to the baseline situation, a general significant trend for reduction of exposure to all studied heavy metals. Individuals from Lisbon seem to have a significantly higher body burden of the studied metals than those living in Madeira and, in general, metal exposure in men is significantly higher than in women, with the most relevant exception being the case of higher mercury levels in women, at the baseline and for both communities. Compared with published reference values for similar conditions, blood levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury of the present investigation seem to be relatively higher, in median terms and for extreme values, mainly in the case of cadmium and mercury. In the case of lead the differences are not so marked.     

某些营养素对短期染毒铅镉汞在小鼠体内分布的影响

目的 了解营养素锌（Zn）、硒（Se）和维生素C对小鼠短期铅（Pb）、镉（Cd）、汞（Hg）染毒的体内分布的影响，观察其对Pb、CA、Hg联合损害的拮抗作用。方法 染毒组小鼠灌胃给予Pb（7mg／kg）、CA（1mg／kg）和Hg（0．7mg／kg），处理组除给予Pb、CA、Hg染毒外，同日或次日给予Zn、Se或维生素C，剂量为Zn12．5mg／kg或62．5mg／kg，Se40μg/kg或200μg/kg，维生素c80mg／kg或400mg／kg。连续处理3次。结果 3种营养素都能促进毒物从粪中排出；可减少心脏中Cd含量（P〈0．05）；给予营养素可使由染毒引起的肝脏器系数、肾脏器系数和脾脏器系数增大幅度降低。但是加营养素组的肝和肾中Pb、CA、Hg含量都较染毒组高，体重增长与染毒组亦没有差异。连续染毒引起动物体重下降而隔日染毒对动物体重没有明显影响。营养素拮抗效果以加Se组最好，高Se组优于低Se组，而高维生素C和高Zn组并不优于相应的低剂量组。结论 Zn、Se和维生素C对Pb、CA、Hg联合损害有明确的拮抗作用，但可引起毒物在肝、肾中的含量增加，对体重无影响，表明在此染毒剂量下，Zn、Se和维生素C的拮抗能力是有限的。     

Ubiquitous pollution by n-hexane and reference biological levels in the general population

Summary n-Hexane levels were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in environmental air and in the alveolar air, blood and urine of a group of subjects aged on average of 38 years who had not been occupationally exposed to this hydrocarbon. n-Hexane was found in all environmental air samples examined (n=49), with the mean concentration being 104 ng/l (limit values, 1–279 ng/l). It was also found in all 49 samples of alveolar air, with the mean concentration being 50 ng/l (variation limit, 1–304ng/l). In 64 samples of urine, n-hexane was found in only 50 samples, with the mean concentration being 1,417 ng/l (limit values, 34–8,820 ng/l). In 77 of the 90 blood samples taken, a mean concentration of 608 ng/l was detected (variation limit, 15–7,684ng/l). Particularly the haematic and urinary concentration showed significant differences among the nine groups of individuals classified according to their work activity. The lowest levels were found in the blood and urine of farmers: 270 and 298 ng/l, respectively. The highest values were found for chemical workers (1,377 and 411 ng/1), respectively printers (585 and 2,691 ng/l respectively), and traffic wardens (740 and 8,820 ng/l, respectively). In all, 95% of the determinations of n-hexane yielded values of < 255 ng/l in environmental samples, < 105 ng/l in alveolar air, < 1,475 ng/l in blood and < 5,875 ng/l in urine. A comparison of these data revealed a significant correlation between environmental levels and alveolar (r/s = 0.769; P<0.00001), haematic (r/s = 0.624; P<0.0002), and urinary (r/s = 0.597; P<0.0005) values for n-hexane.     

Reference intervals for blood Cd and Pb in the general population of Sardinia (Italy)

The reference values (RVs) for blood Cd and Pb of 215 adult subjects non-occupationally exposed and living in Sardinia (insular Italy) were assessed. Age, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking and living area were used to stratify the reference group. After collection from volunteers, samples were acid digested in a microwave oven and metals were determined by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The RVs expressed as 5th-95th percentiles (geometric mean, GM) were 0.24-1.82 μg/l (0.53 μg/l) for blood Cd and 13.2-87.3 μg/l (33.4 μg/l) for blood Pb. Females had GM levels of Cd (0.58 μg/l) higher than males (0.49 μg/l); subjects aged <40 years had less Cd (0.44 μg/l) than old subjects (>60 years; 0.56 μg/l); Cd in smokers (1.23 μg/l) was 3-times higher than in non-smokers (0.42 μg/l) and correlated with the number of cigarettes per day. The alcohol intake and place of living did not influence blood Cd. The GM values of blood Pb in males (44.4 μg/l) were higher than in females (24.7 μg/l); subjects less than 40 years-old (27.5 μg/l) showed lower Pb than elderly individuals (>60 years, 41.2 μg/l); drinkers (42.2 μg/l) had Pb 2-times higher than non-drinkers (24.4 μg/l). Blood Pb was not significantly affected by smoking and place of living. As revealed by multiple linear regression, the predictor variables were, in order of weight, smoke ? age for blood Cd levels, and sex = age ? alcohol for blood Pb levels.     

辽宁省一般人群尿中2,5-己二酮水平研究

目的调查辽宁省一般人群尿中2,5-己二酮水平,分析其人群分布特点。方法将辽宁省划分为东、中、西部地区,采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样的方法,于2009—2010年从东、中、西部三个地区抽取1373名对象进行问卷调查,并采集尿液样品,采用气相色谱-离子阱二级质谱法对尿中2,5-己二酮的含量进行检测,统计分析一般人群尿中2,5-己二酮的分布水平。结果辽宁省一般人群尿中2,5-己二酮几何均数为0.18μg/L,男性和女性尿中2,5-己二酮几何均数分别为0.19μg/L、0.18μg/L(Z=-2.87,P0.01)。结论辽宁省一般人群尿中2,5-己二酮水平存在性别及地区差异。     

辽宁省一般人群尿中三氯乙酸水平研究

目的调查辽宁省一般人群尿中三氯乙酸水平,分析其人群分布特点。方法采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样的方法,于2009—2010年从辽宁省东、中、西部三个地区抽取1289名对象进行问卷调查,并采集尿液样品,用顶空进样气相色谱法(ECD检测器)对尿样进行三氯乙酸含量的检测,通过统计分析研究一般人群尿液中三氯乙酸的分布水平。结果辽宁省一般人群尿中三氯乙酸水平的几何均数为1.84(95%CI:1.73~1.95)μg/L,P50为1.96μg/L,P95为9.72μg/L;不同年龄组人群三氯乙酸水平差异有统计学意义,其中13~16岁组尿中三氯乙酸水平最高,46~60岁组最低;不同地区尿中三氯乙酸水平有所不同;辽宁地区一般人群尿中三氯乙酸水平高于全国平均水平。结论辽宁省一般人群尿液中三氯乙酸水平在不同年龄和区域特征中均存在差异,辽宁地区一般人群尿中三氯乙酸水平高于全国平均水平。     

Measurement invariance and general population reference values of the PROMIS Profile 29 in the UK,France, and Germany

Purpose

Comparability of patient-reported outcome measures over different languages is essential to allow cross-national research. We investigate the comparability of the PROMIS Profile 29, a generic health-related quality of life measure, in general population samples in the UK, France, and Germany and present general population reference values.

Methods

A web-based survey was simultaneously conducted in the UK (n?=?1509), France (1501), and Germany (1502). Along with the PROMIS Profile 29, we collected sociodemographic information as well as the EQ-5D. We tested measurement invariance by means of multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Differences in the health-related quality of life between countries were modeled by linear regression analysis. We present general population reference data for the included PROMIS domains utilizing plausible value imputation and quantile regression.

Results

Multigroup CFA of the PROMIS Profile 29 showed that factor means are insensitive to potential measurement bias except in one item. We observed significant differences in patient-reported health between countries, which could be partially explained by the differences in overall ratings of health. The physical function and pain interference scales showed considerable floor effects in the normal population in all countries.

Conclusions

Scores derived from the PROMIS Profile 29 are largely comparable across the UK, France, and Germany. Due to the use of plausible value imputation, the presented general population reference values can be compared to data collected with other PROMIS short forms or computer-adaptive tests.

     

陕西省一般人群全血和尿液中铬、镉和铅负荷水平分析

目的了解陕西省一般人群血液和尿液中铬、镉和铅的内暴露水平及其分布特点。方法 2017年采用分层随机抽样方法,选取陕西省5个县(区、市) 720名3～79岁人群为监测对象,采集血液和尿液样品,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法检测样品中铬、镉和铅的含量。检测结果定量资料组间比较,符合正态分布采用方差分析,不符合正态分布采用独立样本非参数检验。结果陕西省一般人群中,血铬和尿铬几何均数分别为0.31μg/L和0.51μg/L,男性尿铬高于女性(χ²=7.276,P <0.05);血镉和尿镉几何均数分别为0.20μg/L和0.19μg/L,男性均高于女性(χ²=14.022、5.698,P <0.05);血铅和尿铅几何均数分别为16.24μg/L和0.47μg/L,男性均高于女性(χ²=50.157、5.173,P <0.05)。城镇地区血铬和血镉几何均数高于乡村地区(χ²=36.815、17.222,P <0.05),乡村地区尿铬和尿铅高于城镇地区(χ²=53.492...     

Reference values for cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel in urine among women of the general population in Japan

Objective: The present study was initiated to establish the reference levels of Co, Cu, Mn, and Ni in urine of women in the general Japanese population. Methods: Stored urine samples were subjected to the analysis. The samples were collected from 1,000 adult women all over Japan, who had no occupational exposure to these elements. Co, Cu, Mn, and Ni in urine were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations were distributed log-normally, and were presented in terms of geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation, as observed or after correction for creatinine concentration or a specific gravity of urine of 1.016. Results: The GM values of observed levels (i.e., with no correction for urine density) and of the levels after correction for creatinine (cr) concentration (values in parenthesis) were 0.68 g/l (0.60 μg/g cr) for Co, 13.4 g/l (11.8 g/g cr) for Cu, 0.14 μg/l (0.12 g/g cr) for Mn and 2.1 g/l (1.8 g/g cr) for Ni. There was a life-long age-dependent increase in Cu. Mn levels reached the maximum at 60 to 69 years of ages. In contrast, age-dependency was not substantial in Co and Ni. Conclusions: Comparison with values reported in literatures for other areas showed that Co and Ni levels in urine of Japanese women are higher than, Cu level is comparable with, and Mn level is lower than others. The reasons for high Co and Ni levels deserve further study.     

Copper saturation pathways of the urban population in the Czech Republic

The estimation of the copper saturation pathways of the Czech urban population is presented. The data on copper concentrations proceed from the System of monitoring the environmental impact on population health in the Czech Republic in the period 1994-1998. The copper concentrations were monitored in foodstuffs from the commercial network, in drinking water at the outlets of the waterworks and in the public water main networks, and in the ambient air. The copper levels were measured also in biological material to obtain the data on the copper saturation of the population under monitoring. The copper intake from foodstuffs and drinking water did not vary significantly either in the particular years of monitoring or individual cities. The same concerns also the copper levels in biological material. The total copper intake for an average adult was estimated to be 20.2 micrograms/kg b.w./d., i.e. 1300 micrograms/d. Over 99% of the total intake was that from the diet. The exposure from the intake of drinking water as well as from ambient air was low. The total daily intake lies in the interval 1000-2000 micrograms/d which is usually found in the similar studies of the copper intake. It represents only 40% of the daily dietary copper intake recommended by the JECFA FAO/WHO Commission, 1982. The copper levels in biological material did not differ from the reference values, and did not indicate any evincible hyposaturation of the population with copper.     

Urinary creatinine concentrations in an industrial workforce and comparison with reference values of the general population

Purpose

Urinary creatinine is an important parameter for the adjustment of metabolite concentrations in differently diluted urine specimens, as a reference dimension for biological limit or guidance values and as a selection criterion for spot urine samples in human biomonitoring. While the creatinine output of the general population has been well described in environmental surveys, this study focused specifically on creatinine concentrations in a large industrial workforce in order to compare these data with the general population and to provide a database for the calculation of a reasonable conversion factor between volume-related and creatinine-adjusted data and vice versa.

Methods

Urinary creatinine was analysed in 6,438 spot urine samples by a photometric assay in the time period between 1989 and 2009. Basic demographic data (age, sex, body weight, body height) and job category (apprentices, skilled craftsmen, skilled chemical workers, foremen, laboratory staff and executives) were considered in a statistical analysis.

Results

The median concentration of urinary creatinine in all urine samples was 1.36 g/L with male employees showing significantly higher values (1.37 g/L, n = 6,148 samples) than female employees (1.00 g/L, n = 290) and concentrations ranging from 0.01 up to 9.76 g/L. Age, body mass index and job category were significant influence factors on urinary creatinine. About 92 % of all samples showed creatinine concentrations between 0.3 and 3.0 g/L, a range recommended by the World Health Organization as a criterion for valid spot urine samples.

Discussion

The results of this study correspond well with data from environmental surveys and with recent data from an active workforce in industry with similar sampling strategies. Therefore, a median of 1.4 g creatinine per litre urine seems to be a reasonable value for general calculations and adjustments. The study data also support the validity of the current recommendations by the WHO and several scientific committees and institutions with respect to creatinine limits in spot urine samples for occupational-medical biomonitoring.     

铅、汞、镉污染对动物健康的危害

本文综述了铅、汞、镉污染对动物健康的危害，包括铅、汞、镉污染的来源，动物铅、汞、镉中毒的表现、监测，动物性食品中铅、汞、镉容许量以及防治措施。     

Age and gender-related reference values for serum dl-alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol levels in Saudi population

We established a reference range for dl-alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol in a Saudi population previously selected for a cross-sectional study evaluating selenium and vitamin status. Concentrations of dl-alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol were 0.999 +/- 0.31 mg/dL (n=994, range 0.11-3.42 mg/dL) and 49.14 +/- 24.15 micro/dL (n=1000, range 11.20-400.85 microg/dL), respectively. The levels of dl-alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol in serum were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a UV detector. We took the influence of age and gender into account. Both had significant effect on the levels of all-trans-retinol in serum, except in the case of dl-alpha-tocopherol, where no gender related effect was found. We used the 5th and 95th percentiles as reference limits. Based on these criteria, it was found that these reference limits differed between genders for all-trans-retinol. Our lower and upper limits for dl-alpha-tocopherol classified by three age groups were very close to the normal range of 0.5-1.6 mg/dL, as found in previous studies. The 5th percentile of all-trans-retinol in both males and females, stratified by age, was close to a level of <20 microg/dL, which could be regarded as a mild vitamin A deficiency according to WHO criteria. But the value corresponding to the 95th percentile was higher than the upper limit of vitamin A's normal range of 70 microg/dL, suggesting a potentially harmful high dietary intake of vitamin A. The reference intervals elaborated here may help in the assessment of the vitamin status and in detecting subjects at risk of developing pathologies associated with either excess intake or deficiency.     

Effects of age, BMI, smoking and contraception on levels of Cu, Se and Zn in the blood of the population in the Czech Republic

Variations in the levels of Cu, Se and Zn in blood were analyzed in relation to gender, age, BMI, smoking and hormonal contraception. The blood samples were collected from 3,207 blood donors (2,362 men, 845 women) during years 1996-2003. Blood concentrations of these elements were in the same range as those found for populations of other European countries. Significant differences exist between men and women, in blood concentration, for Cu (840 microg Cu.l(-1) vs. 970 microg Cu.l(-1), p<0.01) and Zn (6,780 microg Zn.l(-1) vs. 6,235 microg Zn.l(-1), p<0.01) only. The level of Cu in relation to age is increasing in men, but decreasing in women. The level of Se in relation to age increases regardless of sex. Concentrations of Zn rise with age in women group, only. Positive correlation was found between BMI and level of Cu only for group of men. For Se levels and BMI differences exist only in men namely between groups <20 and >35 (82 microg Se.l(-1) vs. 92 microg Se.l(-1)). Slight positive correlations exist between Zn concentration and BMI in women only. The significant differences were found between smokers and non-smokers for Cu in men (850 microg Cu.l(-1) vs. 830 microg Cu.l(-1)) and Se (81 microg Se.l(-1) vs. 84 microg Se.l(-1)). The smoking has not significant influence on concentration of Zn in the blood. The hormonal contraception significantly increases the concentration of Cu in blood (920 microg Cu.l(-1) vs. 1,270 microg Cu.l(-1), p<0.01). The levels of Se and Zn in blood are not influenced using hormonal contraception.