Trace Metals In Scalp Hair Research Articles

Association of multiple trace metals in scalp hair with glioma risk: the mediating role of inflammation

Association of multiple trace metals in scalp hair with glioma risk: the mediating role of inflammation

Essential and non-essential trace metals in scalp hair of men chronically exposed to volcanogenic metals in the Azores, Portugal

Volcanoes produce and release large amounts of toxicants, and the concentration of metals in hair can be used as a biomarker of exposure to trace metals. In order to investigate whether humans exposed to volcanic emissions demonstrate higher concentrations of essential and non-essential trace metals, scalp hair of men (3–89 years) living in two areas of the Azores, one exposed to volcanic emissions and the other not, was sampled, and their content in Cd, Cu, Pb, Rb, Se, and Zn was quantified by using High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. In average, men exposed to volcanic emissions presented higher concentrations of Cd (96.9 ppb), Cu (16.2 ppm), Pb (3417.6 ppb), Rb (216.3 ppb), and Zn (242.8 ppm), but not Se (469.6 ppb). Also, strong and significant correlations were found between Cd–Rb and Pb–Rb in the exposed men. In conclusion, humans living chronically exposed to volcanic emissions show high concentrations of essential and non-essential trace metals in scalp hair, and is suggested that this type of exposure may be as harmful as living close to industrial facilities.

Age and sex dependence of selected trace metals in scalp hair of urban population of Pakistan

Concentrations of ten metals (Ag, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Ca and Mg) in scalp hair of urban donors from the city of Lahore, Pakistan were determined by the nitric acid/perchloric acid digestion based method by ICP-AES. The age and sex dependence of metal levels was investigated for the age groups 10–47 and 7–55 years, for females and males, respectively. In total 45 female and 42 male samples were analysed in triplicate. The maximum concentration in the male group was that of Fe, between 45 and 330 mg/kg, followed by Sr between 4.5 and 109 mg/kg. On average, the following order of metal concentration in male hair was observed: Ca > Mg > Fe > Sr > Al > Cu > Mn > Cr > Ag > Cd. For female samples Cu was found to have a maximum concentration (210 mg/kg) followed by Fe (170 mg/kg) and Sr (140 mg/kg). In this group the concentration order was: Ca > Mg > Cu > Fe > Sr > Al > Mn > Ag/Cr > Cd. A metal to metal correlation study showed that different metals were mutually correlated in male and female hair. Regression equations illustrated a distinct dependence of metal concentrations on the age of donors. The data are compared with corresponding data reported in the literature.

Trace metals in scalp hair of Greek agricultural workers

In order to determine “base-line” values of hair metal concentrations in unpolluted, non-industrial areas of Greece, a random sample of 144 agricultural workers (75 males and 69 females) was selected from the Civil Registry of communities of southwest Greece. All subjects were at least 50 years old and had lived in the same community for at least 10 years prior to the investigation. Bulk hair samples were collected and washed with non-ionic detergent and ultrasonic cleaning. Concentrations of six metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu) were determined by flameless AAS after wet-digestion. Arithmetic means of concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu were 0.31, 4.40, 0.85, 0.73, 182.50 and 10.48 μg g −1, respectively, for males, and 0.19, 3.84, 1.19, 0.73, 187.60 and 10.61 μg g −1 respectively, for females. Statistically significant ( p < 0.05) sex differences were observed for cadmium and nickel. High positive correlations were observed between lead, chromium and copper. High negative correlations were observed between cadmium and zinc. Factor analysis showed that lead, chromium and copper were associated with the first factor. The results are discussed and compared with those observed in other parts of the world.

Trace metals in scalp hair of children and adults in three Alberta indian villages

This study examined trace metal levels in scalp hair taken from 122 children and 27 adult residents of three small northern Alberta (Canada) Indian villages, one of which is situated close to the world's first tar sands oil extraction plants. The three communities studied were: Fort McKay (the exposed village), Fort Chipewyan (also in the tar sands ecosystem but distant from the plants), and Garden River (not in the tar sands ecosystem). Inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy was used to determine hair sample metal content. Nineteen metals were included in data analysis. Children from Fort McKay had the highest average hair lead, cadmium and nickel levels. Chromium levels were approximately equal in hair from Fort McKay and Garden River children, and significantly elevated above levels found in the hair of Fort Chipewyan children. Children from Garden River showed highest hair levels of eight metals: vanadium, aluminum, iron, manganese, barium, zinc, magnesium and calcium. Fort Chipewyan children had the highest hair levels of copper, but the lowest levels of all other metals. Among adults, hair lead, nickel and cadmium levels were highest in Fort McKay residents, while phosphorous and vanadium were highest in hair from Garden River residents. Bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium, nickel and chromium in hair from Fort McKay residents may be related to exposure to extraction plant pollution. Plant stack emissions are known to contain appreciable amounts of lead, nickel and chromium. Spills into the Athabasca River, until recently the source of Fort McKay drinking water, have been reported from plant wastewater holding ponds, known to contain elevated levels of lead, nickel and cadmium. An increased number of significant metal—metal correlations in hair metal levels for Fort McKay children suggests a richer source of multiple metal exposure, relative to children in the other two communities.