TRACE-ELEMENTS IN HUMAN SCALP HAIR AND SOIL IN IRIAN-JAYA

Pb, Cd, and Ni contents were determined in the scalp hair of the Asmat of Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) on 35 adult subjects. These dat a are presented together with those of Al, Ca, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn and Sr, which were determined in previous research on the same group. Hair sam ples were analyzed by EDXRS and ICP. Trace elements were also determin ed in 12 soil samples from the same area by EDXRS (Al, Si, K, Ca, Fe) and ICP (Cu, Sr, Ti), and by AAS (Cd, Ni, Pb). When hair element level s are compared and discussed with those of other New Guinea population s, acculturated and nonacculturated tropical groups, populations from Western countries and from polluted areas, and ''recommended levels'' in the literature, they greatly exceed Western levels and generally fi t those of other New Guinea populations, stressing the importance of c ommon environment, subsistence, and behavior. The results of soil anal yses are consistent with the presence of those elements in hair, and t heir quantitative distribution follows a common trend. Metal mobility in soil, patterns of absorption, and transfer from soil to plants and to humans are considered here.