Hair as Biomarker of Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Children

Background/Aim: Metals and other trace elements in hair have been commonly used as exposure biomarkers, as hair collection is non-invasive. However, concern has been raised regarding the appropriateness for assessing the actual absorbed dose. The aim was therefore to evaluate children’s hair as biomarker of internal dose for toxic (As, Mn, Cd, Pb) and essential (Mg, Ca, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo) elements. Methods: In 207 children (9-10 years), belonging to a mother-child cohort in rural Bangladesh, we measured concentrations of the selected elements in hair (2 cm closest to the scalp) by ICP-MS, following Triton X-100 washing and acid digestion. We compared these concentrations with those in blood (erythrocyte fraction), urine and water, collected about six months earlier. For a sub-set of children (n=19), we analyzed four consecutive 2 cm-pieces of hair. Results: There were significant correlations between hair As and the other biomarkers (blood: rs=0.73, p<0.001; urine: rs=0.66, p<0.001) and water (rs=0.6...