Autopsies Find Elevated Levels of a Toxic Metal

The families of three people who recently died and were found to have extremely high levels of cadmium in their bodies will be tested for the toxic metal, a deputy coroner said.

Ten people who recently died in Indiana County tested positive in autopsies for elevated levels of cadmium, a toxic metal often used in batteries, paint and welding supplies, officials have said. It is unclear whether the deaths are related.

Preliminary testing on water and soil samples have given authorities no reason to link them to land or water contamination, and officials have said foul play remains a possibility.