JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) andBrogan & Partners are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Environmental Health Perspectives.Results of an epidemiology study of populations living near a freeway and in the high desert area of Southern California for levels of platinum, palladium and lead are presented. Three age groups (children, young adults, and mature adults) were sampled twice for blood, urine, hair, and feces. Air, water, and soil samples were collected in the areas of the residences of the two populations. The primary objective of this study was to obtain baseline levels of these metals prior to the introduction of the catalytic muffler. The samples were collected in September 1974. This paper reports on an investigation aimed at establishing baseline levels of platinum, palladium, and lead in the environment and in human populations prior to distribution of 1975 automobiles so that determination can be made in future years of changes in levels of the metals. To this purpose, samples of air, soil, blood, urine, fecal matter, and hair clippings were collected and analyzed for the presence of platinum, palladium, and lead. Lead analysis was included because of the interdependence of lead with the usage of catalytic converters, i.e., requirement for unleaded gasoline. The samples were collected in an area of high exposure to auto emissions and in a control area with much lower exposure. Methods Study Design

A flameless atomic absorption method for the coexctraction of platinum and palladium from biological and environmental samples by high molecular weight amine (HMWA) is given. Also, methods for lead determination in biological samples by use of extractionflameless analysis and direct aspiration-flame analysis are reported. A study of lead contamination of Vacutainer tubes is given.

An epidemiological survey was conducted in Houston, Texas on five trace metals in policemen, parking garage attendants, women living near freeways and three control groups of subjects. The controls were matched with the exposed groups for covariate information such as age, sex, smoking habits, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, hair color, and education. Each subject was sampled four times for blood, urine, hair, and feces, and these samples were analyzed for lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, and copper. Lead and cadmium were correlated with airborne exposures but zinc, manganese and copper were not. The second part of this paper deals with a market study of platinum and palladium markets and a design of an epidemiology survey of individuals occupationally and nonoccupationally exposed to these two metals. The market survey shows that although the catalytic muffler will have a major impact on the market, it is predicted that producers can meet these demands.

Results of an epidemiology study of populations living near a freeway and in the high desert area of Southern California for levels of platinum, palladium and lead are presented. Three age groups (children, young adults, and mature adults) were sampled twice for blood, urine, hair, and feces. Air, water, and soil samples were collected in the areas of the residences of the two populations. The primary objective of this study was to obtain baseline levels of these metals prior to the introduction of the catalytic muffler. The samples were collected in September 1974.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) andBrogan & Partners are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Environmental Health Perspectives.