Teeth extracted from 98 people aged 18-77 yr, living in the urban Haifa Bay area or in rural kibbutzim (communal farms) in northern and north-central Israel were analyzed with a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. There were no significant differences in lead levels in teeth for the same age ranges between urban and rural areas, despite differences in motorization rates. We assume that the daily mobility of the residents, the short distances between settlements, and the common origin of their food have a greater effect on the lead level in teeth than do differences in environmental lead in areas of low pollution. New immigrants from Ethiopia and people originating from India and Yemen have lower lead levels in teeth than long date immigrants, but due to different factors. On the other hand, immigrants from Argentina have higher lead levels in teeth in comparison with long date immigrants.

teeth environmental pollution Lead Ethnic groups

Yemen Israel India immigration human tooth ethnic group controlled study Time Factors Aged male lead female pollution Conference Paper Ethiopia major clinical study adult Emigration and Immigration Middle Age