Trace Metal Contents in Human Hair of Korean / 예방의학회지

ABSTRACT

Analysis for 6 metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn) by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer were made on hair samples of healthy 135 in urban area and 130 in rural area who have not dealt with the above metals in their daily working life. Marked variations were found. Samples of urban area contained more cadmium, copper, lead and manganese than those of rural area. No sexual difference in mean value could be observed and the amount of metals in hair did not increase with age. And no age dependency was found. There was a statistically significant correlation between the concentrations of cadmium and lead in both urban and rural people; Pb=1.50 Cd + 6.69 (r = 0.213, p<0.05) in urban area. Pb=1.44 Cd + 3.67 (r = 0.327, p<0.001) in rural area.