Metal accumulation in human kidney cortex: mutual interrelations and effect of human factors

Different metals were analysed in 77 post mortem samples of human renal cortex. 2. The concentrations of the metallic ions conformed to known distribution frequencies. In abnormal cases calculations were based on non parametric techniques. 3. There was no appreciable difference between the values found for each element and those described by other authors in other populations. 4. Statistically established correlations indicated that Zn was the element which was most strongly related to the others. 5. The influence of individual factors on metal concentrations was considered. Significant differences occurred only in Pb between sexes, and in Cd with age. There was no sign that drug abuse influenced the accumulation of metals in renal cortex.