Mapping of ecologically unfavorable territories based on human hair composition.

As was shown (1), analysis of human hair on the population level and mapping of large territories using hair elemental composition are promising approaches for estimation of both the environmental situation and the population health status. In (1,2) the map of Uzbekistan (sampling in 1981) was discussed. Ten years later (1991), samples from the territory in the vicinity of the drying out Aral Sea were taken again. Samples were analyzed for 24 elements using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Comparison of the data and maps drawn for 1981 and 1991 and their comparison with changes of the health status have shown that repeated mapping of territories using data on human hair elemental composition could be used in medical geography, especially for prediction of health status changes in ecologically unfavorable areas.

Mapping using human blood composition data.

The mapping of elemental composition using INAA on the base of whole blood and hair of inhabitants (2500 samples) was made in Uzbekistan (CIS). The average concentrations of 15 elements (24 for hair) were determined. The results obtained were compared to regional medical statistics. The correlations for various diseases were obtained. The maps of human blood composition in comparison to those for human hair composition seem to be less significant in terms of regional contamination (probably because of stronger homeostatic control of blood). On the other hand, specific changes of blood composition were detected for some occupational groups. Relationships of blood and hair elemental composition and their relative significance are discussed.