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Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements in Scalp Hair from Healthy Population of Pakistan

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Abstract

The present study deals with the assessment of essential trace and toxic elements in biological samples (scalp hair) of healthy smoker and non-smoker residents of Lahore (the second most populous city), Pakistan. Human biomonitoring of various trace elements like zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) was evaluated in human hair samples of smokers and non-smokers (males and females) as per IFCC criteria. For the purpose of comparison, scalp hair samples of age- and sex-equivalent healthy persons were also analyzed. The results of this study show that the concentrations (P95 values) of As (0.17, 0.81, and 0.91 μg/g), Cd (2.80, 3.81, and 3.16 μg/g), Cr (4.1, 4.2, and 5.3 μg/g), Cu (20.0, 21.0, and 21.9 μg/g), Ni (3.9, 4.6, and 4.3 μg/g), Pb (4.0, 4.8, and 5.0 μg/g), and Fe (49.0, 49.0, and 59.3 μg/g) were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of smokers than in referents, for various age groups (16–32 years, 33–50 years, and 51–62 years), respectively. The concentrations of Zn (165, 163, and 173 μg/g various age groups, respectively) in similar age group were found lower in the scalp hair samples of smokers than referents. Exposure of high toxic metal level through smoking and deficiency of Zn could be synergistic with the risk factors associated with the use of tobacco. Correlation studies for the elements in cigarette with the elements in scalp hair of male smokers show a highly positive correlation between Cr–Cd, Cr–Ni, Cu–Fe, and Ni–Zn.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, for providing financial assistance project no. 6172/Federal/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2016.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PCSIR Labs Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan

    Fouzia Noreen

  2. Institute of Biochemistry, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan

    Fouzia Noreen, Ashif Sajjad, Khalid Mahmood & Muhammad Anwar

  3. Department of Chemistry, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan

    Manzar Zahra

  4. Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Amir Waseem

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  1. Fouzia Noreen
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Correspondence to Amir Waseem.

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All procedures performed within the study were in agreement with the ethical principles set by the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments (2013). The protocol of the study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (Dr. Muhammad Ayub, Director, Institute of Biochemistry; Dr. Kaleemullah, Chairperson, Graduate Studies, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan). All examinees have signed an informed consent form prior to the inclusion into the study (the details of committee and consent form can be found in supplementary information).

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Noreen, F., Sajjad, A., Mahmood, K. et al. Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements in Scalp Hair from Healthy Population of Pakistan. Biol Trace Elem Res 196, 37–46 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01906-0

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