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Biomonitoring of Lead and Cadmium in the Hair and Fingernails of Elderly Korean Subjects

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Abstract

Lead and cadmium are toxic to humans at excessive levels, and monitoring the human body burden of these metals is important in preventing adverse health effects. In this study, we assessed the exposure to lead and cadmium among an elderly population 60 years of age or older. Based on data from 115 participants, we found that the geometric mean lead concentrations in hair and fingernails were 1.11 μg/g [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–1.58] and 1.11 μg/g (95% CI 0.81–1.51), respectively. The lead concentrations in hair and fingernails were significantly related to cigarette smoking. The geometric mean cadmium concentrations in hair and fingernails were 52.6 ng/g (95% CI 42.0–65.9) and 40.1 ng/g (95% CI 29.9–53.9), respectively. Cadmium concentrations in hair were significantly related to body mass index and cigarette smoking, whereas higher fingernail cadmium concentrations were related to alcohol drinking. Correlations between hair and fingernail concentrations of lead and of cadmium were slightly positive. Our findings suggest that the body burden of lead and cadmium varies according to demographic factors, and hair and fingernails could be used differentially as a biological medium for metal exposure.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2009-0072222).

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  1. Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, 1000 Shindang-dong, Daegu, 704-701, Republic of Korea

    Minjeong Kim & Kisok Kim

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  1. Minjeong Kim
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  2. Kisok Kim
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Correspondence to Kisok Kim.

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Kim, M., Kim, K. Biomonitoring of Lead and Cadmium in the Hair and Fingernails of Elderly Korean Subjects. Biol Trace Elem Res 143, 794–802 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8942-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8942-4

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