Micro spatial distributions of lead andzinc in human deciduous tooth enamel

摘要

Enamel is the hard crystalline external covering of teeth, and has a mineralcomponent that closely resembles hydroxyapatite (Boyde, 1989; Brudevoldand Soremark, 1967). The chemical constituents of hydroxyapatite are toler-ant to substitution by a range of trace elements, and are readily incorporatedinto enamel formation at the time of environmental exposure. The composi-tion of sub-surface enamel is fixed before tooth emergence, and is thereforeable to provide a retrospective and relatively permanent record of the traceelements absorbed during the period of enamel formation. The informationlocked within this deep enamel can provide evidence of early nutrition, res-idential mobility, and exposure to toxic metals. The incorporation of sometrace elements into enamel hydroxyapatite also has the potential to affect sus-ceptibility to caries. The trace element composition of enamel has a broadrelevance in disciplines ranging from dentistry and child health (Brown et al.,2004; Dolphin et al., 2005) to forensics (Gulson et al., 1997a) and archaeology(Budd et al., 2000). Two trace elements of particular interest are lead (Pb) andzinc (Zn).