Elements in Scalp Hair & Nails Indicating Metal Body Burden in Polluted Environment

Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research
Vol. 64, February 2005, pp 119-124
Elements in scalp hair and nails indicating metal body burden
in polluted environment
Rita Mehra* and Meenu Juneja
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer 305 009
Received 17 July 2004; accepted 03 November 2004
Heavy metals in biological samples namely hair and nails taken at random were examined in subjects occupationally or
otherwise exposed to Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Ni, Ca, Mg and Cr metals and in controls from subjects working in different
environments such as tooth powder manufacturing unit, lead battery unit, locomotive workshop, welding unit and roadways
workshop. The significant levels between exposed and unexposed subjects in hair and nails have been computed by student
't' test at p < 0.05. The Pearson Moment Correlation analysis of the data for these ten elements revealed significant positive
correlation between Cr/Ni, Fe/Mn, Fe/Cr and Ni/Fe in hair of exposed subjects; Cr/Pb, Mn/Cd, Zn/Cd, Zn/Mn, Ni/Pb, Fe/Pb,
Cr/Ni, Cr/Fe and Fe/Ni in hair of unexposed subjects; Cr/Cd, Ca/Cd, Ca/Mn, Ca/Cr, Ni/Cd, Ni/Mn, Ni/Cr,Ni/Ca,Fe/Cr and
Ni/Fe in nails of exposed subjects and Cu/Cd, Cr/Cd, Cr/Cu, Zn/Cd, Zn/Cu, Zn/Cr, Ca/Cd, Ca/Cu, Ca/Cr, Ca/Zn, Mg/Cd,
Mg/Cu, Mg/Cr, Mg/Ca, Ni/Cd, Ni/Cu, Ni/Cr, Ni/Ca, Ni/Mg/, Ni/Zn, Fe/Cr, Fe/Ni and Fe/Cd in nails of unexposed subjects.
This behaviour has been explained in context to the type of exposure.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Scalp hair, Nails, Environmental pollution
IPC Code: G 01 N 1/40
Introduction
A number of tissues in the human body such as the
kidney and liver can be used for metal analysis
particularly for lead, but these are not easily
accessible in living individuals. Specimens readily
available for analysis include blood, urine, nails, teeth
and hair. Their worth as bio-indicators depends on
their capacity to store trace elements. Blood metal
levels reflect transient levels whereas hair metal levels
show long-term retention, which may be accounted
for a long period of exposure1-3
. Nails also indicate
metal body burden4
. The presence of toxic and trace
elements in biological tissues like hair and nails can
be a measure of amount absorbed by a person.
Determination of trace elements in human hair is
important in biological, medical, environmental and
forensic science, as it represents an interesting
biological matrix for the studies in both, the inorganic
and organic field5
. Hair is an attractive tissue for
analysis, because obtaining a sample is noninvasive
and that it is relatively inert6
. Hair and nails are
becoming popular for their utilization as a tool for
monitoring environmental pollution or intake of toxic
metals7
. Concentrations of metals in hair and nails
reflect their mean level in the body during a longer
period as compared to body fluids8-11
. Sukumar et al12
reported higher element exposure among industrial
firework workers than controls. In such studies, the
levels found varying for different elements depending
upon the nature of occupation13
. Hair and nail can be
used as an indicator for screening population groups
occupationally exposed to elemental pollution. Hyoi
et al14
reported significantly higher levels of Cd, Pb,
Ni and Cu in hair of electroplating workers than in
controls. Occupational exposure to metals increases
the body burden and subsequently health hazards.
Excess concentration of metals causes: Pb, kidney
damage and inhibition of haem synthesis; Cd,
gastrointestinal disturbance; Cu, renal failure; Cr,
chrome ulcer chrome hole; Mn, hyperirritability, gait,
mania, frank psychosis; Ni, dermatitis, respiratory
disorder and lung cancer; and Fe, haemorrohagic
gastritis, intravascular clotting, acidosis, fatal shock
and discoloration of the skin.
In continuation to earlier studies15-16
, the present
work is a study on toxic and trace elemental
_______________
∗Author for correspondence
Tel: 0145-2670366, 2670991; Fax: 0145-2430225
E-mail: mehra_rita@rediffmail.com

J SCI IND RES VOL 64 FEBRUARY 2005120
(Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni)
concentrations of exposed as well as unexposed
subjects and the effect of period of exposure, type of
work and their correlationships.
Experimental Procedure
Sampling
Samples were collected from male subjects
working in roadways workshop, locomotive
workshop and Pb-Cd battery units, and exposed to
metals in their work environment in particular. Hair
samples (4-5 cm long), of male subjects, were
collected from the nape of the scalp by cutting approx
2 mm from the scalp using a pair of sterilized
stainless steel scissors washed with ethanol, a neutral
solvent, to remove external contamination, if any, and
dried17
. All hair samples were sealed in plastic bags
prior to analysis. Samples taken weighed about one
gram.
For collection of nail samples, the volunteers were
asked to wash their hands thoroughly with double
distilled water and medicated soap devoid of metal
contamination, followed by drying with a clean towel
or tissue paper to remove external contamination, if
any. Nails were cut from fingers with sterilized
stainless steel scissors. All nail samples were also
sealed in plastic bags prior to analysis.
Procurement of Requisite Details of Subjects
The personal and medical history as well as the
details of the subjects taken for study was obtained
through a questionnaire as per the recommendation of
World Health Organisation. The information required
to be filled in the Performa includes sex, age, hair
colour, personal habits (smoking, drinking and food
habit), place of residence, occupation, possible metal
exposure and use of hair and nail cosmetics etc.
Washing of Samples
The hair samples were cut into pieces (1 cm) so as
to ensure feasible and fast digestion of the samples in
the digesting solution to prepare a water clear
solution. Samples pre-washed with nonionic detergent
were soaked in deionized water for 10 min. This was
followed by soaking in acetone to remove external
contamination followed by washing with deionized
water. Subsequently they were dried in an oven at
110 °C for 1 h and kept in a desiccator and stored for
later mineralization18
.
For washing of nails, the nail samples scrapped and
cleaned of dust particles with nonionic detergent
(triton X-100) were washed following a standardized
washing procedure19
. This was followed by soaking in
acetone to remove external contamination, rinsing
five times with deionized water and drying in an oven
at 110 °C for 30 min and stored in a desiccator.
Digestion of Samples
The dried hair and nail samples were wet digested
with 10 ml of 6:1 mixture of concentrated nitric acid
and concentrated perchloric acid kept overnight at
room temperature and consequently heated at
160-180 °C until complete evaporation to obtaining a
crystalline white dry deposit or a water clear solution.
It was then diluted with 0.1N nitric acid.
Analysis
The concentration of metals was determined by
using Perkin Elmer AAS model 250 with graphite
furnace and air acetylene flame. A series of standards
were prepared in deionized water for instrumental
calibration by diluting commercial standards
containing 1000 ppm of the metals. All reagents were
of analytical grade. A number of blanks were also
prepared for mineralization of contaminated errors.
The main instrumental parameters (like wave length,
band width, lamp current) for the estimation of
specific metals by Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer were also set up for each metal
separately. Standards solutions of metals prepared
from metal powder and AR salts were used as
reference material.
Statistical Analysis
The value of metal concentrations in hair and nail
was expressed as arithmetic mean value in µg/g with
standard deviation and tabulated to illustrate
concentration profile over each group. The statistical
significance of mean values between different groups
was determined by applying a parametric test, student
't' test. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.
Pearson Moment correlation analysis was carried out
to obtain the correlation of metals.
Results and Discussion
The mean concentrations of metals in nails of
exposed and unexposed subjects have been plotted
(Figs 1 & 2). Likewise, mean metal levels determined
in hair of exposed and normal subjects were: Pb,
53.67 ± 97.87; Cd, 1.42 ± 3.78; Cu, 11.62 ± 8.89; Mn,
9.20 ± 8.89; Cr, 87.90 ± 53.51; Zn, 212.64 ± 49.87;
Ca, 1636.15 ± 605.12; Mg, 371.48 ± 179.27;
Ni, 32.26 ± 22.57; and Fe, 199.45 ± 133.29 µg/g in

MEHRA & JUNEJA: ELEMENTS IN SCALP HAIR AND NAILS FROM POLLUTED ENVIRONMENTS 121
exposed subjects, and Pb, 7.60 ± 6.44; Cd, 0.32 ± .21;
Cu, 8.48 ± 2.06; Mn,6.71 ± 3.38; Cr, 68.62 ± 35.37;
Zn, 182.40 ± 45.16; Ca, 1376.80 ± 344.81; Mg,
293.27 ± 127.63; Ni, 25.34 ± 15.69; and Fe, 147.18 ±
57.05 µg/g in control. The subjects of different ages
were exposed to metals for different periods
according to their work type. The test between
exposed and unexposed subjects at P<0.05 indicates
that all metals were significant in nails as compared to
hair where only Cd, Cr, Fe and Ni were found to be
significant. Similar results were obtained by other
workers20,21
.
Fig 1 Graphical representation of mean metal concentrations in human nails of exposed and unexposed subjects
Fig 2 Graphical representation of mean metal concentration in human nails of exposed and unexposed subjects

Significant positive values of Pearson’s product
moment correlation coefficient observed in metals
are: Cr=f (Ni, Fe) and Fe=f(Mn, Ni) in hair of
exposed subjects; and Cr=f (Pb, Ni, Fe), Mn=f (Cd,
Zn), Zn=f (Cd, Mn), Pb=f (Ni, Fe, Cr), and Fe=f (Ni)
in hair of unexposed subjects. In nails, correlations
(P<0.05) between metals are: Cr=f (Cd, Ca, Ni, Fe),
Ca=f (Cd, Mn, Cr, Ni), Ni=f (Cd, Mn) and Fe=f (Ni)
in nails of exposed subjects; and Cu=f (Cd, Cr, Zn,
Ca, Mn, Ni), Cr=f (Cd, Zn, Ca, Mg, Ni, Fe), Zn=f
(Cd, Ca, Ni), Ca=f (Cd, Mg, Ni), Mg=f (Cd, Ni), Ni=f
(Cd, Fe), Fe=f (Cd) in nails of unexposed subjects.
No correlation was observed in the following
elements: Pb=f (Cd, Zn, Ca), Cd=f (Cu, Cr, Ca), Cu=f
(Mn, Ni, Fe), Mn=f (Zn, Ca, Mg), Zn=f (Mg), Ca=f
(Ni), and Mg=f (Fe) in hair of exposed subjects; Pb=f
(Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg), Cd=f (Mg), Cu=f (Ca,Fe), Cr=f
(Ca), Ca=f (Ni) in hair of unexposed subjects; Pb = f
(Cr, Ca, Ni, Fe), in nails of exposed subjects; and Pb =
f (Ca, Mg, Ni, Fe), Cu=Cu=F (Mn) , Cd=f (Cu, Zn),
Cu=f (Mn, Cr, Zn, Ca, Mg, Ni, Fe), Mn=f(Zn), and
Zn=f (Ca, Ni, Fe) in nails of unexposed subjects.
Similar results were also reported by other workers22-24
.
From three periods of exposure (1-10, 11-20 and
21-30 y), metal concentrations were significant in 21-
30 exposure period. In addition to background
concentrations of Zn and Fe, these and other metals
like Cr, Mn and Ni are present in appreciable amounts
in hair. This indicates that metal body concentration is
a function of metal in the work environment as also
supported by Buchancova et al25
. Significantly high
values of metals in exposed subjects relative to
controls may be occupationally related.
High bioaccumulation of Cd may be attributed to
smoking26-29
and exposure to metal in battery workers
and that of Ni due to exposure from Ni releasing
operations as also from blood during growth of nails.
The main factors that affect the Ni level in fingernails
are the duration and intensity of exposure, which in
turn, depends on Ni content in the environment, and
its physicochemical state. If Ni concentration in the
nails is larger than 8 µg/g, the probability of
individual Ni absorption is strong19
and if it is less
than 1µg/g, it is unlikely that the subject is
occupationally exposed to Ni. Use of Fe and Cr as
alloying additive to stainless steel in ferrous foundries
and pigments and mordents for paints and dyes
respectively, contribute to the raised levels of each in
addition to Cr in chrome plating. Ca and Mg, although
significant, were also of high range in normal persons.
To develop an in depth knowledge, the study was
extended to assess the metal concentrations in hair of
subjects involved in specific type of works such as
tooth powder workers, lead battery workers, machine
man, fitter, black smith, painter, mechanic, welding,
gear fabrication and assembly fitting. In agreement to
other workers30-33
, results show that metal contents in
nails is higher relative to hair for all ten metals except
Zn and Mg. However, a unified relationship could not
be established between the elemental composition of
hair and nails. The different treatments, adopted by
the subjects for washing the hair, effects the metal
profile in hair as compared to nail samples. This is
because few metals can be easily washed out of hair
during treatments, which may lead to low levels in
hair. Irrespective of nail metal levels being higher
than hair metal levels, the same metals are
significantly high in both hair and nails. Thus, Pb was
found to be significant in lead battery workers, fitter,
black smith, painter, welding workers, and workers
involved in gear fabrication; Cd in lead battery
workers; Cr in welders; Mn in tooth powder workers,
welders and workers involved in gear fabrication; Fe
in tooth powder workers; Ni in welders; Cu in tooth
powder workers, lead battery workers and those
working in gear making section; Zn in tooth powder
workers, machine man, fitter, and welders; Ca in tooth
powder workers; and Mg in tooth powder and lead
battery workers. These results show maximum use of
the said metals in their respective work types and are
similar to reported works8 ,34
.
It is concluded that since the exposed workers are
prone to illnesses on prolonged exposure35
to these
metals, necessary preventive measures need to be
taken so as to protect the workers from the hazards of
metal pollution in their workplace. Change in levels
of metals from one region to another in hair36-38
and
nails39-42
may be attributed to the elemental levels,
which vary with the geographical boundary of a
country along with other influencing factors.
However, on the basis of reported researches and the
present work, it can be generalized that Cr, Ni, Mn
and Pb are present in significantly high concentrations
in welders43-45
; Cd and Pb in lead battery workers46-47
;
and Cu and Mn in foundry workers48
irrespective of
the regions of study.
Acknowledgement
The author (RM) gratefully acknowledges the
University Grants Commission for financial
assistance.

MEHRA & JUNEJA: ELEMENTS IN SCALP HAIR AND NAILS FROM POLLUTED ENVIRONMENTS 123
References
1 Laker M, On determining trace element levels in man, the
uses of blood and hair, Lancet, 2 (1982) 260-262.
2 Hopps H C, The biological basis for using hair and nail
for analysis of trace elements, Sci Total Environ, 7 (1977)
71-89.
3 Petering H G, Yeager D W & Wintherup S O, Trace metal
content of hair-I. Zinc and copper content of human hair in
relation to age and sex, Arch Environ Hlth, 23 (1971) 202-207.
4 Choudhary K, Ehmann W D, Regan K & Markesebery W R,
Trace element correlations with age and sex in human
fingernails, J Radioana Chem, 195 (1995) 51-56.
5 Ciszewski A, Wasiak W & Ciszewska W, Hair Analysis. Part
2. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric
determination of thallium in human hair samples of persons
in permanent contact with lead in their workplace, Anal Chim
Acta, 343 (1997) 225-229.
6 Druyan M F, Bass D, Puchyr R, Wrek K, Quig D, Harman E
& Marquardt W, Determination of reference ranges for
elements in human scalp hair, Biol Trace Elem Res, 62
(1998) 183-197.
7 Jenkins D W, Toxic trace metals in mammalian hair and
nails, EPA - 600/4-79-049 (1979).
8 Foo S C, Khoo N Y, Heng A, Chua L H, Chia S E, Ong C N,
Ngim C H & Jeyaratnam J, Metals in hair as biological
indices for exposure, Int Arch Occp Environ Hlth, 65 (1993)
583-586.
9 Mehra R, Scalp hair as biological marker for trace elements
in humans, Pollut Res, 21 (2002). 253-259.
10 Suzuki T, Hair and nails: Advantages and pitfalls when used
in biological monitoring in, Biological Monitoring of Toxic
Metals (Plenum Press, New York) 1988.
11 Elinder C G, Gerhardsson L & Oberdoerster G, Biological
monitoring of toxic metal overview in, Biological
Monitoring of Toxic Metals (Plenum Press, New York)
1988.
12 Sukumar A & Subramanian R, Trace elements in scalp hair
of manufacturers of fireworks from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu,
Sci Total Environ, 114 (1992) 161-168
13 Gagedorn-Gotz H, Kuppers K & Stoepler M, On nickel
contents in urine and hair in case of exposure to nickel
carbonyl, Ark Toxikol, 6 (1977) 18-26.
14 Hyoi N, Imahari A, Shiobara S & Shina F, Study on trace
element concentration in hair and blood of electroplating
workers, Jpn J Ind Hlth, 28 (1986) 200-201.
15 Mehra R & Juneja M, Biological monitoring of lead and
cadmium in human hair and nail and their correlations with
biopsy materials, age and exposure, Indian J Biochem
Biophys, 41 (2004) 53-56.
16 Mehra R & Juneja M, Occurrence of calcium in human hair
and nails and some parametric influences, Chem Environ
Res, 12 (2003) 165-172.
17 Williams G, Hall L & Addae J, Increase in hair lead, but not
blood lead content of occupationally exposed workers,
Environ Geochem Hlth, 20 (1998) 239 –243.
18 Chatt A & Katz S A, The Biological basis for trace elements in
hair. Hair Analysis. Applications in Biomedical and
Environmental Sciences (VCH Publishers, New York) 1988.
19 Gammelgaard B, Peters K & Menne T, Reference values for
the nickel concentration in human finger nails, J Trace Elem
Electrol Hlth Dis, 5 (1991) 121-123.
20 Sukumar A & Subramanian R, Elements in hair and nails of
residents from a villege adjacent to New Delhi, Influence of
place of occupation and smoking habits, Biol Trace Elem
Res, 34 (1992) 99-105.
21 Peters K, Gammelgaard B & Menne T, Nickel concentrations
in fingernails as a measure of occupational exposure to
nickel, Contact Dermatitis, 25 (1991) 237-241.
22 Folin M, Contiero E & Vasselli G M, Trace element
determination in humans, the use of blood and hair, Biol
Trace Elem Res, 31 (1991) 147-158.
23 Nowak B, Contents and relationship of elements in human
hair for a non industrialized population in Poland, Sci Total
Environ, 209 (1998) 59-68.
24 Nowak B, Occurrence of heavy metals, K, Ca and Na, in
human hair teeth and nails, Biol Trace Elem Res, 52 (1996)
11-22.
25 Buchancova J, Vrlik M, Knizkova M, Mesko D & Holko L,
Levels of selected elements (Fe, As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn) n
biological samples from ferrochromium workers, Bratisl Lek
Listy, 94 (1993) 373-386.
26 Creason J P, Hinners T A, Bumgarner J E & Pinkerton C,
Trace elements in hair as related to exposures in
metropolitan, New York, Clin Chem, 21 (1975) 603-612.
27 Chattopadhyay P K, Joshi H C & Samaddar K R, Hair
cadmium levels of smokers and non-smokers volunteers in
and around Calcutta City, Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 45
(1990) 177-180.
28 Mehra R & Bhalla S, Hair metal burden and its relation to
various parameters, J Indian Council Chem, 12 (1996) 8-12.
29 Mehra R & Juneja M, Atomic absorption spectrophotometry
determination of Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Cu levels in
human hair. Influence of age, hair color and smoking habit. J
Indian Chem Soc, 81 (2004) 227-229.
30 Nowak B & Chmielnicka J, Relationship of lead and
cadmium to essential elements in hair, teeth and nails of
environmentally exposed people, Ecotoxicol Environ Safety,
46 (2000) 265-274.
31 Wilhelm M & Hafner D, Monitoring of cadmium, copper,
lead and zinc status in young children using toenails:
Comparison with scalp hair, Sci Total Environ, 103 (1991)
199-207.
32 Othman I & Spyrou N M, The abundance of some elements
in hair and nail from the Machakos district of Kenya, Sci
Total Environ, 16 (1980) 267-278.
33 Wilhelm M, Lombeck I & Ohnesorge F K, Cadmium,
Copper, lead and Zinc concentration in hair and toenails of
young children and family members: A follow up study, Sci
Total Environ, 141 (1994) 275-280.
34 Schroeder H A & Nanson A P, Trace metals in human hair, J
Invest Dermatol, 53 (1969) 71-78.
35 Mehra R & Juneja M, Adverse health effects in workers
exposed to trace/toxic metals at workplace, Indian J Biochem
Biophys, 40 (2003) 131-135.
36 Rauf A A & Jervis R E, INAA of scalp hair for
environmental monitoring of Indonesian and Canadian
population groups, J Radioanal Nucl Chem, 161 (1992) 210-
214.
37 Takagi Y, Matsuda S, Imai S, Ohmori S, Masuda T, Vinson J
A, Mehra M C, Puri B K & Kaneiwski A, Trace elements in
human hair. An international comparison, Bull Environ
Contam Toxicol, 36 (1986) 793-800.

38 Ward N I, Spyrou N M & Damyanova A A, Study of hair
element content from an urban Bulgarian population using
NAA assessment of environmental status, J Radioanal Nucl
Chem, 114 (1987) 125-135.
39 Oluwale A F, Ojo J O, Durosinmi M A, Asubiojo O J,
Akanle O A, Spyrou N M &. Filby R H, Elemental
composition of head hair and fingernails of some Nigerian
subjects, Biol Trace Elem Res, 43 (1994) 443-451.
40 Vance D E, Ehman W D & Markesbery W R, Trace element
content in fingernails and hair of a non industrialized US
control population, Biol Trace Elem Res, 17 (1988) 109-121.
41 Hayashi M, Yamamoto K, Yoshimura M, Hayashi H &
Shitara A, Cadmium, lead and zinc concentration in human
fingernails, Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 50 (1993) 547-
553.
42 Iyengar G V, Kollmer W E & Bowen H J M, The elemental
composition of human tissues and body fluids, Verlag Chem,
151 (1978) 83-85.
43 Stern R M, Assessment of risk of lung cancer for welders,
Arch Environ Hlth, 38 (1983) 148-155.
44 Niese S & Wiesener W, Neutron activation analysis of hair
elements influence of residence, occupation and health
effects, IAEA-TECDOC-330 (1985).
45 Ramakrishna V V S, Singh V & Garg A N, Occupational
exposure amongst locomotive shed workers and welders
using neutron activation analysis of scalp hair, Sci Total
Environ, 192 (1996) 259-267.
46 Bustueva K A, Revich B A & Bepalko L E, Cadmium in the
environment of three Russian cities and in human hair and
urine, Arch Environ Hlth, 49 (1994) 284-288.
47 Ferguson J E, Hibbard K A & Tig R L H, Lead in human
hair: General survey of battery factory employees and their
families, Environ Pollut (Ser B), 2 (1981) 235-238.
48 Sukumar A & Subramanian R, Elements in the hair of
workers at a workshop, foundry and match factory, Biol
Trace Elem Res, 77 (2000) 137-147.

Elements in Scalp Hair & Nails Indicating Metal Body Burden in Polluted Environment

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (19)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (8)

Similar to Elements in Scalp Hair & Nails Indicating Metal Body Burden in Polluted Environment

Similar to Elements in Scalp Hair & Nails Indicating Metal Body Burden in Polluted Environment (20)

More from v2zq

More from v2zq (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Elements in Scalp Hair & Nails Indicating Metal Body Burden in Polluted Environment