Severe lead contamination among children of samurai families in Edo period Japan |
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Authors: | Tamiji Nakashima Koji Matsuno Masami Matsushita Takayuki Matsushita |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan;2. Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Miyazaki 882-8508, Japan;3. The Doi-ga-Hama Site, Anthropological Museum, Yamaguchi 759-6121, Japan |
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Abstract: | This paper presents evidence for severe lead contamination among children of samurai families living in a castle town in Edo period Japan (1603–1867). Excavated rib bones were analyzed by atomic absorption, and soft X-ray roentgenograms of long bones were taken. The median values of lead concentration in the bones of children 3 years of age and under(1241.0 μg Pb/g dry bone) and 4–6 years of age (462.5 μg Pb/g dry bone) were significantly higher than those of adult males (14.3 μg Pb/g dry bone) and females (23.6 μg Pb/g dry bone) (p < 0.001). In addition, that of children over 6 years of age (313.0 μg Pb/g dry bone) was significantly higher than those of adult males (p < 0.01) and adult females (p < 0.05). The median value of lead in the bones of children 3 years of age and under was over fifty times higher than that of their mothers (adult females). Hypertrophy was seen in the long bones of five samurai children. In this area, lead lines or lead bands were distinguished by soft X-ray roentgenogram. Samurai children suffered from severe lead contamination in Edo period Japan. When the mothers were nursing their children, the children might have ingested their mother’s white lead non-selectively. |
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Keywords: | Children of samurai Close relationship between mother and child Edo period Facial cosmetics Lead contamination White lead |
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