A Study on Trace Metal Levels in Hair

모발중 미량 금속 함량에 관한 조사 연구

In order to investigate the concentration of trace metals in human hairs from residents living in urban area and rural area, the 120 hair samples of adults were taken from urban areas(industrial area, bus terminal, downtown area) and rural area(Kasan-ri, Yeoju-up, Yeoju-goon) during July - September 1995. Mean concentrations of trace metals including lead and cadmium in human hair were compared by region, sex, presence of smoker, type of water, period of residence. The results were as follows; 1. The average concentrations of lead and cadmium in hairs of urban area are $0.92{\mu}g/g$ ($1.01{\mu}g/g$ industrial area, $1.01{\mu}g/g$ bus terminal, $0.74{\mu}g/g$ downtown area), $0.38{\mu}g/g$ ($0.54{\mu}g/g$ industrial area, $0.49{\mu}g/g$ bus terminal, $0.12{\mu}g/g$ downtown area). The mean concentrations of lead and cadmium in urban area are higher than the corresponding levels in the rural area. 2. Lead concentration for male in the urban and rural area is 0.94 and $0.62{\mu}g/g$, 0.90 and $0.60{\mu}g/g$ for female. But, It does not have any statistical significance. Cadmium concentration for male in the urban and rural area is 0.38 and $0.12{\mu}g/g$, 0.38 and $0.11{\mu}g/g$ for female. But It does not have any statistical significance. 3. Mean concentrations of lead and cadmium in smokers shows higher than non-smokers. It showed that the longer period of residence in urban area, the higher concentrations of three metals.