Influence of Water Hardness on Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Kidneys and Livers of Rats

물의 경도가 흰쥐의 신장, 간에서 중금속 축적에 미치는 영향

It has been suggested that calcium is only one of many metals that compete with toxic metals in the body. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the influence of water hardness on accumulation of heavy metals in rats. The seventy-five rats were divided into control and case groups. Case group was subdivided into four subgroups in proportion to the concentration of water hardness respectively, such as, 0, 250, 500, 1000ppm. Control group was fed on only deionized water, but case groups were fed on hard water with ionized heavy metals (Cd 150mg + Pb 300mg + Cu 300mg/l) for 20, 40, 60 days. The concentrations of cadmium, lead and copper were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer 2380) in livers and kidneys. The results of the study are summarized as following 1. The concentration of cadmium accumulation showed the tendency of decrease in proportion to water hardness in both livers and kidneys of rats having been fed for only 60 days, respectively. 2. In only livers of rats having been fed for 60 days, essential metal, copper had the tendency of decrease according as hardness in water. 3. It was impossible to compare case with control about the tendency of lead accumulation because there was no difference between the two in livers and kidneys respectively.