The reference intervals of zinc, copper, selenium and zinc/copper ratio of healthy adult in Licang

From 2006 to 2007, 312 healthy adult whole blood were selected from three selected areas of Licang District, whose blood copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and quality controls were performed during the investigation. Whole blood Zn and Cu were found to approach a normal distribution, while Se was a skew distribution. The normal reference intervals of trace elements were Sc (63.3 - 134.5 mu g/l), Zn (4.33 - 6.41 mg/l), Cu (0.614 - 0.970 mg/l) for men; Se (65.6 - 135.8 mu g/l), Zn (3.52 - 5.52 mg/l), Cu (0.694 - 1.030 mg/l) for women; The Zn/Cu ratio of men and women were 6.99 +/- 0.98 and 5.40 +/- 0.85, respectively; Blood Se levels increased with age in women (p < 0.05) and Cu concentrations increased in men with age (p < 0.05). Smoking could cause significant lower blood Cu level in males (p < 0.01) and alcohol consumption could produce higher concentrations of blood Zn and Zn/Cu in men (p < 0.05).