Trace metal concentrations in blood plasma or serum have been assayed by numerous investigators using multiple analytical techniques. Several trace elements occur at a higher concentration in blood cells than in plasma or serum (the blood cells/serum ratio for Se: 1.2; for Cs: 6.5; for Zn: 10.5; for Mn: 26.3). However, there are exceptions, such as Cu and Mo (0.62 and 0.41, respectively). What is the Blood cells/serum ratio for Ni, Cd, Pb and Hg?