Concentrations of trace elements in human blood serum from different places in Norway determined by neutron activation analysis.

The concentrations of As, Fe, Hg, Sb, Se and Zn in 281 serum samples from people living in nine municipalities in Norway were determined by radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The concentrations of Br, Cl, Cs, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in another set of 157 serum samples from four of the municipalities by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Higher arsenic concentrations were found in the coastal districts than in inland municipalities; otherwise no significant difference in mean values was observed between the districts. Except for Na-Cl and Rb-Cs, none of the elements was significantly correlated with any other element studied.