Trace Metal Profiles of Human Hair and Nail Samples Collected from Urban and Rural Areas of Zonguldak, Turkey

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Hair and nail samples were collected during a period of October to December 2012 from 63 healthy subjects who have been living in Zonguldak for at least ten consecutive years. The subjects aged over 30 years and having no serious health problems were participated in the study. The methodology involved the collection, ultrasonic cleaning and microwave digestion of samples. The measurements of trace metals (As, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd, Pb, Cr, Fe and Ni) in samples were performed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The predominant metals determined in the both hair and nail samples were the essential metals with the decreasing concentrations in the order of Zn>Fe>Cu. Other metals determined in the hair samples followed the concentration order of Pb>Se>Ni>Cr>As>Cd, whereas in the nail samples, the order was Se>Ni>Cr>Pb>As>Cd. Subgroups were formed according to location and gender. Hair Se and Fe concentrations were significantly higher in urban residents. With regard to nail samples, the rural residents exhibited more elevated Fe levels significantly. Gender had a significant influence on the concentration of Zn and Cu in hair samples with females presenting higher values. However, the effect of gender on the trace metal concentrations in nail samples was negligible. The metal concentrations obtained for Zonguldak were within or below the values reported worldwide.