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New data on Se-deficiency in Yugoslavia are presented. The results include Se contents of soils, cereal crops and garlic grown in the investigated soils, and human serum and scalp hair from several towns and regions in this country. All data indicate a serious Se-deficiency. Analyses of human tissues show a very low Se-status of the Yugoslav population. In some regions, Se contents of garlic, grains and human serum and hair are approaching those in the low-selenium zone in China. It is assumed that the very low Se-status of the human population could be a risk factor for the endemic nephropathy and the urinary tract tumours in endemic areas.

Data on selenium (Se) deficiency in Yugoslavia are presented. The results include Se content of soil, cereal crops, and garlic grown in these soils, and human serum and scalp hair from several towns and regions. All data indicate a serious Se deficiency: soil (n = 140), the mean value of 200 +/- 69.6 micrograms/kg Se; wheat, (58) mean = 20.5 +/- 12.4 micrograms/kg; corn, (79) mean = 13.7 +/- 13.6 micrograms/kg; and garlic, (66) mean = 13.7 +/- 17.1 micrograms/kg Se. Analyses of human tissue show a very low Se status of the Yugoslav population: serum, (n = 875) mean = 50.0 +/- 18.0 micrograms/L and scalp hair, (388) mean = 94 +/- 16 micrograms/kg Se. In some regions, Se contents of grain, garlic, and human serum and hair are approaching those in the low-Se belt in China. It is assumed that very low Se status of a human population could be a risk factor in the development of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) and in a high incidence of urinary tract tumors (UTT) in endemic areas.

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