Metallic elements in hair as a biomarker of human exposure to environmental pollution: A preliminary investigation in Hubei province

Metallic elements in hair were assessed in human subjects randomly sampled from six villages in Hubei province, PR China, known to differ in industria l pollution. Metallic elements assessed included copper, zinc, lead, and ca dmium. Subjects sampled included adults and children of both sexes. Soil an d rice samples from the villages were also examined for contents of metalli c elements. Soil and rice contents of copper, lead, and cadmium were higher in the vill ages closer to the pollution source (copper smeltery). Hair contents of cop per, lead, and cadmium were higher in subjects from the polluted villages c ompared with subjects from the nonpolluted areas. No differences were found in hair zinc content among the villagers. Cadmium contents in rice and hum an hair were Linearly correlated. For lead and copper a logarithmic relatio n was found. No difference was found between the two genders with respect to hair metall ic contents. With regard to age, hair cadmium content was highest in the ol der age groups in the polluted villages and may reflect chronic exposure. N o other systematic age effects were observed. It was concluded that contents of cadmium, lead, and copper in human hair d o reflect the degree of environmental pollution.