title: Heavy metals in human hair samples from Austria and Italy: influence of sex and smoking habits.
abstract: Hair samples from 79 young healthy adults from Vienna (Austria) and Rome (Italy) were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb by ICP-MS. No differences were found between the two locations except for chromium, which was significantly higher in the Viennese population (P < 0.001). In both cities male hair contained higher arsenic (P < 0.001) and lower cadmium (P < 0.05) levels than female hair, and in Vienna lead concentrations were lower in males (P < 0.05). Striking differences appeared when smokers were compared with non-smokers. Geometric means (micrograms/g) of smokers versus non-smokers were: arsenic 0.081 vs. 0.065, cadmium 0.075 vs. 0.038 (P < 0.05), cobalt 0.025 vs. 0.010 (P < 0.05), chromium 0.84 vs. 0.72 (P < 0.05), lead 3.42 vs. 1.47 (P < 0.001) and nickel 0.64 vs. 0.32 (P < 0.005). Consideration of a large number of biological and behavioural factors minimizes bias inherent in unmatched sample composition.
authors: Institute of Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wolfsperger
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Hauser
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Gössler
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Schlagenhaufen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D001317:Austria; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D002104:Cadmium; D002857:Chromium; D007854:Lead; D003035:Cobalt; D009532:Nickel; D001151:Arsenic