Concentrations of selected metals in scalp hair of an occupationally exposed population segment of Pakistan

Abstract

Levels of five essential metals (Co, Cu. Fe, Mn and Zn) and four macroelements (Ca, K, Mg and Na) were determined in the scalp hair of an occupationally exposed male population of Karachi, Pakistan. These levels were compared with those of non‐exposed population so as to ascertain the current status of environmental pollution and the extent of occupational exposure to these metals. A comparison between the metal levels of washed and unwashed hair was also made. For an industrially exposed population, in case of essential metals, the maximum level was observed for Fe(225.1 μg/g), followed by Zn(170.7 μg/g) and Cu(17.0 μg/g). Statistical analysis showed that levels of all the metals analyzed were higher in the scalp hair of an exposed population. The age‐wise distribution of metals in the hair of an exposed population showed that Cu and Fe levels increased distinctly with increasing age, whereas for a non‐exposed counterpart no such behavior was observed. The results of the present study were found to be in agreement with earlier works reported in literature..