Trace Metals and Fluoride in Bones and Teeth

This volume is a comprehensive introduction to the analysis, binding, uptake, metabolism, kinetics, modeling, distribution, occurrence, toxicity and chelation of metals and fluoride in the body, with special reference to mineralized tissues. Both toxic and relatively harmless polyvalent cations and anions are considered. Included are some which are stable, and others which are radioactive. While a number are essential trace elements, others have no known metabolic role. Most chapters are concerned with the uptake of bone-seeking ions by the living skeleton, but aspects of the post-mortem uptake of metals and the process of fossilization are also considered. Highlighted are the utility of modern analytical techniques and the more important bone-seeking elements including aluminum, lead, cadmium, fluorine and the radioactive heavy metals including uranium and plutonium. This important publication is of particular value to those in the fields of biochemistry, radioactive waste, geology, physiology, dentistry, orthopedics, radiology and nuclear medicine, urology, industrial hygiene, pharmacology, anthropology, paleontology, and archeology.

This volume is a comprehensive introduction to the analysis, binding, uptake, metabolism, kinetics, modeling, distribution, occurrence, toxicity and chelation of metals and fluoride in the body, with special reference to mineralized tissues. Both toxic and relatively harmless polyvalent cations and anions are considered. Included are some which are stable, and others which are radioactive. While a number are essential trace elements, others have no known metabolic role. Most chapters are concerned with the uptake of bone-seeking ions by the living skeleton, but aspects of the post-mortem uptake of metals and the process of fossilization are also considered. Highlighted are the utility of modern analytical techniques and the more important bone-seeking elements including aluminum, lead, cadmium, fluorine and the radioactive heavy metals including uranium and plutonium. This important publication is of particular value to those in the fields of biochemistry, radioactive waste, geology, physiology, dentistry, orthopedics, radiology and nuclear medicine, urology, industrial hygiene, pharmacology, anthropology, paleontology, and archeology.

Booknews

Surrounded by the wide range of metals present in the Earth's crust, humans evolved mechanisms to protect their bodies from toxic levels of these without compromising the essential supply of trace metals, such as calcium and iron, necessary for enzymatic activity. But human technology has concentrated certain metals in the environment--as long ago as lead, and as recently as aluminum and plutonium--to levels for which we have no protection. Excessive metals, and some nonmetal ions such as fluoride, lodge in the skeletal system. The 15 studies here examine the metabolic and toxic effects of the buildup of both stable and radioactive bone-seeking ions. Topics include microanalytical methods for the localization of trace metals, the detection of radioactive trace elements in bone sections by autoradiography, aluminum accumulation in bone, the distribution and behavior of bone-seeking radionuclides in the skeleton and body, the metabolism and effects of fluoride, a history of heavy metal contamination, lead, cadmium, the metabolism of essential and pollutant nonessential trace metals in humans and animals, the interaction of chelating agents with bone, the in vitro and in vivo uptake of trace elements by hydroxyapatite, trace- metal--complexing organic molecules, and the accumulation of trace metals during fossilization. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)