Objective: To investigate the effects of the Finnish nationwide selenium (Se) fertilization programme on the Se status of the population.
Design and subjects: Serum Se concentrations from 1985-1992 from 1568 healthy children and young adults in southwestern Finland were determined using direct electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.
Results: The mean concentration in young adults increased from 1.04 micromol/L in 1985 to 1.59 micromol/L in 1990. Children younger than 15 y had lower concentrations than adults, with an increase from 0.87 micromol/L in 1985 to 1.31 micromol/L in 1990. The younger the children, the lower the Se concentrations tended to be. At the age of about seven months no significant difference was noted between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. From 1991, when the amount of Se added to fertilizers was reduced and less foreign high-Se cereal was imported, the Se concentrations decreased in all age groups.
Conclusions: The nationwide Se supplementation programme has succeeded in elevating the Se intake and the serum Se concentrations in the Finnish population.