Specific patterns of hair content of toxic metal in foreign students of the peoples’ friendship university of Russia (RUDN university)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of hair content of toxic metal in foreign students originating from different regions.Material and methods. An examination of first-year students of the RUDN University originating from Russia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America was performed in the study. Assessment of hair aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and tin (Sn) content was undertaken using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results. The obtained data demonstrate that the highest levels of Al, Cd, and Pb were observed in students originating from Africa and Latin America. The most prominent mercury accumulation was detected in subjects from Latin America. In turn, hair As content in foreign students from all regions exceeded the respective Russian values by a factor of more than two. No significant group difference in hair tin content was observed. In regression models, prior habitation in Asia, Africa, and Latin America is considered as a significant predictor of elevated hair Hg content. African origin was also associated with higher Pb levels in hair. In the case of cadmium, a direct relationship between prior habitation in Latin America tended to be significant.Conclusion. The obtained data revealed increased accumulation of toxic metals, especially, Hg, Pb, and Cd in the hair of foreign first-year students originating from Africa and Latin America, that may have a significant adverse effect on health and educational performance. At the same time, further studies aimed at investigating the particular contribution of toxic metal overload to health effects in RUDN University students are required.