MICROELEMENT STATUS OF THE ADULT POPULATION IN WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Introduction: Western Kazakhstan is a heavily industrialized part of the country with developed oil- and gas industry, mining, nonfer-rous- and ferrous metallurgy. The region is also a boron-chromium geochemical province. Climate change contributes to shifts in the microelement balance of the biosphere leading to changes in the microelement status of the population affecting its health and well-being. Aim: To study the microelement status of adult population in industrialized areas of Aktobe and West Kazakhstan regions. Methods: Hair concentrations of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, V, Zn were assessed in218 men and 391 women with the average age of 44 years living in Aktobe and West-Kazakhstan regions. Hair samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The presence of an elemental imbalance was established by comparing it with the Russian reference values. Results: Concentrations of trace elements (P2.5; P97.5) Mg/gin men were: Al (1,77; 31,18); As (0,016; 0,126); В (0,812; 7,51); Ве (0,000; 0,003); Cd (0,004; 0,239); Co (0,003; 0,166); Cr (0,175; 1,60); Cu (7,67; 17,36); Fe (9,46; 138,16); Hg (0,029; 1,20); I (0,123; 18,79); Li (0,016; 0,607); Mn (0,193; 7,47); Ni (0,062; 1,23); Pb (0,080; 5,49); Se (0,301; 0,797); Si (7,82; 64,68); Sn (0,013; 0,393), V (0,006; 0,111); Zn (88,25; 363,02).Corresponding values for women were: Al (0,855; 10,42); As (0,002; 0,070); В (0,241; 2,85); Ве (0,000; 0,002); Cd (0,001; 0,113); Co (0,002; 0,644); Cr (0,121; 1,52); Cu (4,97; 25,31); Fe (9,00; 61,81); Hg (0,025; 0,764); I (0,120; 4,80); Li (0,004; 0,173); Mn (0,125; 16,90); Ni (0,046; 1,09); Pb (0,032; 1,05); Se (0,183; 0,768); Si (6,20; 52,28); Sn (0,010; 1,73); V (0,006; 0,092); Zn (79,41; 639,07). The most significant differences were found in the content of toxic and potentially toxic elements with an excess in men of Al by 72.8 %, As by 59 %, Be by 98 %, Cd by 63 %, Pb by 62.3 %, and essential and conditionally - essential: Li by 41 %, Mn by 30.4 %, V by 67 %. Conclusions: In total, 99.5 % and 93.9 % of the adults from the industrialized areas of Western Kazakhstan have V and Se deficiency while 79.8 % have an excess of Li and 65.1 % had an imbalance in Zn.