Abstract:
The levels of two essential (Cu and Zn) and two non-essential (Pb and Ni) metals were estimated in scalp hair of a typical urban segment of population ranging in age from 2 to 60 years, using the atomic absorption method in order to evolve a base-line trace metal data on the nutritional status of local urban population and to evaluate the dependence of hair trace metal concentration on the age and sex of donors. The inter-metal concentration correlation with age and sex was investigated statistically. The distribution of metal levels in the hair of both sexes indicated the following order of decreasing metal concentration irrespective of sex; Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni. However, the male hair had, in general, higher concentration of Cu and Zn, while the converse situation existed for Ni and Pb. This indicated a distinct individual variability towards the levels of essential and non essential metals in the male and female hair. The regression analysis made during this study, evidenced a marginal positive age dependence of Cu in the male hair, and a relatively stronger age dependence of Zn and Pb in the female hair. The results of the study were compared with those reported in literature for the hair samples of people living in other part of the world. Our average hair copper levels were identical to those reported as 9.42 and 10.7 mg/kg for the counterpart from Poland and Japan; zinc and nickel levels to those as 124 and 114 mg/kg for USA and Japan and lead levels to those reported as 5.38 and 5.35 mg/kg for Canada and USA. The study showed difference for trace metals in hair of male and female donors; the observed differences, however, might have resulted due to cumulative effects arising from dietary and environmental factors. the study also showed that scalp hair could be used as an indicator of community exposure to trace metals.
Page(s):
164-166
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, Volume: 38, Issue: 3--4, Year: 1995