[Characteristics of six elements contents in human hairs in the vicinity of metal smelting factories]

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2008 May;29(5):1376-9.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

To assess the impact of secondary smelting activities to the local resident's well beings, the contents of six elements-Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se-in human scalp hairs of residents in suburb Fuyang, Zhejiang Province, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and by atomic fluorescence spectrometer (AFS-930), respectively. The results showed that hair elemental contents were markedly higher than those in unpolluted area. The highest hair contents of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd reached 312, 513, 700 and 7.41 microg x g(-1), respectively, As and Se 10.08 and 0.85 microg x g(-1), respectively. Additionally, a significant relationship between Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and As in human hair was observed, which indicated at a certain degree that the elemental pollution was caused by similar source-small blast furnace smelting. Moreover, it showed that the Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As contents in hair of human who were above 40 years old was twice more than those whose age below 40. There was no apparent difference in average content of Cu, Zn, Cd, Se between male and female, except that Pb and As of male hair was higher than female, however, by statistic analysis showing no significant age and gender dependence.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Copper / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Hair / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Industry
  • Lead / analysis
  • Metals / analysis*
  • Zinc / analysis

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Metals
  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Zinc