[The investigation of lead levels in vertebra and rib samples (author's transl)].

The dithizone extraction method has been applied in the determination of lead content in human bones. The lead in 21 samples of fresh vertebrae and ribs from autopsies is compared with the lead content of historical bones of 17 skeletons from 600--800 A.D. The preparation and the direct mineralization of the bones are presented. The lead content detected in the ash of bones is to low compared with the value found by direct wet mineralization of the bones. During the dry ashing process with temperatures of 500 degrees C or higher lead may be lost. For the same person the lead content of rib is always lower than the value found in vertebra. The difference of the lead content of fresh bones and the historical bones is only small. In both groups the lead content in the bones increased with age. Compared with studies of other authors in the time of 1930--1970 the results would suggest that the present intake of lead in accidental selected bones among a population situated in an appointed area is not greater than in the past.