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.

[Effects of discharges of the aluminium works on the elemental contents of human biosubstrates]. / O vliianii vybrosov aliuminievogo kombinata na élementnyi sostav biosubstratov cheloveka.

Data of the chemical elements content in blood, placenta, breast milk, hairs of Sariasy region in Surhandarya area inhabitants are given. This region is situated under aluminium work discharge. High content of fluorine and very low levels of selenium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper in hairs were noted.

Mapping technique based on elemental hair composition data.

The content of 24 elements has been determined in 2000 hair samples of the inhabitants of Uzbekistan. INAA was used for analysis. Reference material IAEA HH-1 and laboratory standards were used. Measurements were done using a Ge(Li) detector and a multi-channel analyzer. No correlation was found between the element content and hair color and ethnic group, whereas the content of some elements depended on sex, hemoglobin content, blood group, and occupation. Arithmetical and geometrical means and medians were calculated. Cumulative histograms show mainly lognormal distributions. Maps of selected regions, based on the elemental hair composition data, were made. The element content was shown to depend on the location of large cities and biogeochemical anomalies. The relationship between the death rate and the element content in hair in some countries has been shown.

[Changes in blood microelements in lymphedema]. / Izmeneniia mikroélementov krovi pri limfedeme.

Reviews data on 548 patients with various stages and forms of lymphedema; formed elements of the blood and plasma were analyzed in 84 of these, aged 16 to 64. Zinc, iron, cobalt, antimony, cesium, cerium, selenium, scandium, rubidium, chromium levels were measured by neutral activation technique. Changes in concentrations of plasma trace elements and formed elements of the blood were detected, related to the disease stage. Analysis of blood trace elements in patients with lymphedema appears to be a useful criterion for the assessment of disorders in lymph outflow in various stages of the disease.