International Journal of Applied Environmental Sciences
  • Year: 2008
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 2

Determination of Trace Elements Concentration in Human Hair by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

  • Author:
  • Fathi A. El-Amri1, Ramadan I. Damja, Yousf A. Benshaban2
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 165 to 168

1United Arab Emirate University, Faculty of Science Chemistry Dept, P.O. Box 17551, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

2University of Al-Fateh, Faculty of Science Chemistry Dept, P.O. Box 13361, Tripoli, Libya.

Abstract

The variety of instrumental analytical techniques available to date has considerably extended in practice the applicability of hair analysis as a diagnostic tool in evaluating the health status of individuals as well as monitoring community exposure to environmental pollutants.

Human head hair samples were collected from 105 individuals living in various area of Tripoli-Libya. The samples were digested with a nitric acid, and the concentration of elements were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Our results shows that the concentration of the elements such as Sodium and Magnesium which have physiological roles are often present in high concentration. Calcium and Zinc are also present at a high levels.

A pattern of the concentrations of elements in hairs were analyzed regarding to the age.

Keywords

Hair, Trace elements, AAs