Volatile pollutants in the environment and human tissues

Levels of volatile pollutants were measured in the tissues of healthy individuals in Finland and the values were compared to those reported in central Europe. Several chlorinated hydrocarbons were assayed in kidney, lung and muscle tissues; chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene were detected at the highest levels (ranging from approximately 0.1 to 1.3 mu g/kg). These values are lower than those found in central Europe, but high enough to suggest that threshold values be established.