Mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium and zinc in human hair and salmon fries in Iceland.
Hair samples were taken from 58 persons living in five localities in Iceland as well as inside as outside areas with known volcanic and geothermal activities. Hg, As, Cd, Se and Zn were determined in the samples by neutron activation analysis. The As levels were uniformly low and the Hg levels were considered as rather low. The levels of Cd, Se and Zn were characterized as normal. For comparison Hg, Cd, Se and Zn were determined in salmon fries from four rivers, some of which have been affected by volcanic or geothermal activity. Hg levels in the fries were within normal limits and Zn levels were the same in the hair and salmon fries. The results indicated that salmon might accumulate Cd and especially Se. Volcanic and geothermal activity do not appear to increase the body burden of Hg in the Icelandic population.
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D006197:Hair / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D012474:Salmon; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D008670:Metals; D002104:Cadmium; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc; D001151:Arsenic