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Human remains from excavation sites in southern China, dated from 100 to 10,000 years, were investigated for nicotine. The nicotine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Consequently, the values measured represent the sum of nicotine and its metabolites. Positive results were observed in 25.9% (mean values of all samples). The concentrations ranged from 11.8 to 474.2 ng/g sample. From the excavation sites with the highest number of individuals, Chongtong (18 individuals) were 38.9%, and from the site Leigund (21 individuals) were 28.6% from the samples nicotine positive. The highest level with 474.2 ng/g nicotine was found in a sample dated 100 years. It is possible, that this individual was smoker. In addition the samples were investigated also by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The GC/MS indicated the presence of nicotine and its primary metabolite, cotinine. The presence of cotinine points out the assumption that nicotine was used antemortem. The detection of unchanged nicotine indicates that nicotine remained present in bones up centuries.

In the People's Republic of China there are wide regions where many people suffer from strong selenium deficiency. In order to elucidate the possibilities to compensate this state of need by the national drink, the selenium contents of 31 tea samples from nine provinces of the PR China were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The Se contents of the ten analyzed tea samples from one region with soils containing high selenium amounts range from 83 ng/g to 7530 ng/g. These results are in contrast to the Se contents of the remaining tea samples from other regions, which range from 28 to 573 ng/g. The extractable part of selenium in the tea drink ranges between 7% and 27% without significant difference among different tea samples. The accuracy of Se determination was tested by using one tea standard reference material. The daily consumption of one "Se tea" examined in this study assures that people who suffer from a Se deficiency resume enough of it. Drinking normal quantities of this tea an intoxication by Se is not to be expected.