Environmental monitoring of platinum in air and urine

Platinum concentrations were determined in 166 air samples from Munich and in 178 urine samples from individuals without occupational exposure. The airborne platinum concentrations were from samplings in the public transport system of the city of Munich during regular rides from 1993 to 1996. Comparing the years 1993 and 1994 (7.3 +/- 6.5 pg/m(3)) with 1995 and 1996 (21.5 +/- 13.8 pg/m(3)), an increase of airborne platinum concentration was detectable. The highest concentration was 62 pg/m(3). The mean urinary platinum concentration of the 178 individuals was 6.5 ng/g creatinine (S.D. = 6.4; median = 4.3; max = 45 ng/g creatinine) and exhibited a non-normal distribution. The platinum concentration of 96% of the individuals tested was below 20 ng/g creatinine; higher values were associated with dental gold/platinum alloys. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.