[A study of the level of human contamination by cadmium (results of a regional survey) (author's transl)].

In order to estimate the level of human contamination by cadmium, the metal was analysed in liver and kidneys of 268 persons after death. Analysis was performed by using atomic absorption spectrometry after nitroperchloric mineralization. The concentrations thus determined allowed to calculate, by means of some approximations, the total amounts of cadmium in these organs and also in human body. The values obtained are comparatively low, and they show important variations which are partly related to sex and to age. These results are compared to other authors'.