Trace elements in hair and environmental exposure

An elegant and handy selective sensor for ppt level determination of mercury ions

Competitive adsorption of Hg²⁺ on graphene in the presence of fluorescein leads to mercury sensing ability for the graphene dye unit.

Determination of trace element concentration in infant head hair of Rawalpindi/Islamabad area using INAA technique

The concentration of 18 minor and trace elements (essential, toxic and nonessential) in infant head hair was determined. The data provide the base-line values of these elements in head hair of infants of low- and medium-income group subjects. The statistical results show that there are significant correlations between some elements such as: Ca-Zn, Ca-Fe, Mg-Ca, Mg-Mn and Mg-Fe. The results obtained have been compared with the data reported in the literature. Our data show compatibility of elemental contents of infant head hair with those from some of the other geological regions but also deviate in some cases.

Assessment of reference values for elements in human hair of urban schoolboys

Hair samples of youngsters (3-15 years of age) from several urban areas of Rome were analyzed to determine the content of 19 minor and trace elements with the aim of assessing Reference Values (RVs). Thirteen essential elements were taken into account, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Se, V and Zn. On the other hand, Al, As, Cd, Pb, Sr and Ti were also evaluated on the basis of their potential toxicity. Procedures were developed for the collection, storage and pre-analytical treatment of samples. Measurements were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Subgroups were formed according to age and sex. Significant differences were found for certain elements depending on age and sex. This was the case, e.g., for Ca which showed a mean value of 336 mg/kg for males and of 537 mg/kg for females. The sex-dependent pattern for this element was also apparent when the three age subgroups of 3-6, 7-10 and 11-15 years were compared. The overall RVs obtained (mg/kg) are as follows Al, 10.2; As, 0.09; Ca, 450; Cd, 0.23; Co, 0.67; Cr, 0.99; Cu, 22.1; Fe, 19.0; Mg, 28.0; Mn, 0.35; Mo, 0.43; Ni, 1.49; P, 195; Pb, 7.11; Se, 0.77; Sr, 1.20; Ti, 0.79; V, 1.22; and Zn 150.

Occupational exposure amongst locomotive shed workers and welders using neutron activation analysis of scalp hair

Elemental analysis of scalp hair of locomotive shed workers and industrial welders was used to study occupational exposure. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used for the determination of 17 elements, Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Na, P, Sb, Sc, Se, Th and Zn. Most elements show normal distribution at 95% confidence level. Further statistical significance was tested by correlation coefficient and regression coefficients (r2). Comparison of mean elemental contents of the subjects with controls shows a significant enhancement of Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Na, Sc and Th, but declining trends for Br, Cu, P, Sb and Zn in locomotive shed workers. In the case of welders: Ba, Co, Cu, K, Mn, Sc and Sb show enhancement whereas Br, Cr, Hg, Se, Th and Zn exhibit depletion. Elemental contents have been correlated with possible sources of origin. Comparison of mean elemental data for the present population around Nagpur city matches well with the reported data for Bombay and Delhi. Comparative data from other countries are also presented.

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of Fe, Co, Zn, Sb and Se in biomedical and environmental samples

A radiochemical neutron activation method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of Fe, Co, Zn, Sb and Se levels in cancerous breast tissue, milk samples and fugitive cement dust particulates. Various Standard Reference Materials from NIST, USA (Bovine Liver 1577a, Milk Powder 1549, Coal Fly Ash 1633a and Urban Particulate Matter 1648), IAEA Vienna (Animal Muscle H-4, Milk powder A-11 and Soil-5) and NIES Japan (Pond Sediment) were also analysed for quality control. Samples together with standards were irradiated at a thermal neutron fluence of 10(13) ncm-2s-1 for 2 weeks. After dissolution/fusion together with carriers, the Fe was first separated by extracting with diethyl ether followed by extraction with cupferron in chloroform. From the aqueous phase Co and Zn were extracted using alpha-nitroso-beta-naphthol in chloroform and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in isobutylmethyl ketone, respectively. From another aliquot, Se was first complexed with o-phenylenediamine and extracted in benzene. Later Sb was extracted using KI and 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR) in benzene. The method yields reasonably accurate data for monitoring of trace elements in biomedical and environmental specimens.

Variables influencing cadmium concentrations in hair of pre-school children living in different areas of the Federal Republic of Germany

The influence of several factors on cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the hair of 474 pre-school children was examined. The study was performed in an industrial (Duisburg) and rural area (Westfalen) of the (FRG). Season, sex, hair color, and place of residence were found to be the main factors influencing Cd levels in hair. Concentrations of Cd in samples obtained during summer were on the average nearly twice as high as those sampled during winter (geometric means: 116.1 vs. 63.7 ng/g). Boys had more Cd in their hair than girls (111.5 vs. 74.0 ng/g). Cd levels in hair decreased from red to blond, to brown, and black hair. Children living in Duisburg had more Cd in their hair than those from rural areas (103.9 vs. 77.0 ng/g). Cd content in hair was inversely related to age.