study of some trace elements in fingernail and hair of Egyptian bilharzial patients using short neutron activation

ABSTRACT

The concentration of 10 elements has been determined in fingernail and hair of four groups representing normal and hepatosplenic [bilharzial] subjects. Samples were collected from rural inhabitants to the east of Alexandria City and irradiated with thermal neutrons from a Triga Mark III Reactor, for 10 minutes. Measurements were made using HPGe detector, ADC and PDP 11 /34. The analysis were performed using the RAYGUN program. The results showed an increase in the concentration of AI, Cl and I in both fingernail and hair of bilharzial patients than normal while Mg, Ca, K, Mn, Cu, and Sr decreased. Most of the elements showed a higher concentration in fingernail than in hair