Determination of copper and zinc levels in human hair

The Cu and Zn levels of both 607 men (1–85 y old) and 649 women (1–92 y old) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Sex does not influence Cu (14.89±0.89 μg/g and 15.26±0.79 μg/g hair for males and females, respectively) and Zn contents (200.97±9.68 μg/g for men and 209.81±9.49 μg/g hair for women). Age influences Cu and Zn concentrations, but only significantly in females: Cu levels decrease over 60 y of age; whereas Zn levels increase significantly from age groups 2–5 to 20–40 years. Hair color influences Cu concentrations in both males and females. In males, white hair containes less Cu than black hair; in females, white hair's Cu levels are significantly lower than those of dark blond, red, light brown, and brown hair. There are no significant differences in Zn concentrations with respect to different hair colors, in either males or females.     

Levels of cadmium and mercury in the hair of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from Svalbard,Norway

Hair samples of 15 adult male Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) collected from anaesthetized individuals at Svalbard, Norway, were analysed for cadmium and total mercury. The mean level of cadmium was 0.860 ± 0.321 μg/g dry weight (median = 0.811, range = 0.349–1.51 μg/g dry weight) and the mean level of mercury was 0.235 ± 0.100 μg/g dry weight (median = 0.251, range = 0.121–0.424 μg/g dry weight). Levels of cadmium and mercury in hair of walruses from other areas are not known. Both cadmium and mercury levels in hair of walruses from Svalbard are relatively low compared to the levels found in the hair of other marine mammal species. It has been documented from a number of marine species, including marine mammals such as ringed seals and polar bears, that both cadmium and mercury levels at Svalbard are lower than in other areas. It is uncertain as to what degree levels in hair reflect levels in internal organs in walruses. In rare and highly endangered species or populations tissue samples can be difficult to collect. In walruses, it is possible to collect hair from anaesthetized individuals or at the haul-out sites during moult, to monitor heavy metal levels of the population. Accepted: 6 December 1998     

Bromine levels in human serum,urine, hair

Much is known about the essentiality of the halogens fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), and iodine (I), but very little has been discussed with respect to bromine (Br). As a member of the halogen family its chemical properties are comparable to those of other halogens, but its presence has been masked by the presence of I and Cl in chemical analyses. By virtue of new technology and a special computerized machine called the Kevex Model 0600 Energy Dispersive X-Ray Induced X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF), we can specifically identify bromine in different compartments and verify its concentration accurately. In order to establish standard values of Br concentrations and evaluate the nature of its presence in humans, samples of serum, urine, and hair were collected from ten healthy adult males and analyzed for bromine content. Our samples had normal distributions, with serum bromine levels ranging from 3.2 to 5.6 μg/mL, urine levels between 0.3 to 7.0 μg/mL, and hair levels determined from 1.1 to 49.0 μg/mL. These levels, especially those of serum bromine, have been encountered by other examiners whose samples also had normal distributions. These findings suggest to us that bromine may well be an essential trace element, as are its other halogen family members.     

Maternal and neonatal scalp hair concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead

Postpartum scalp hair samples from 82 term-pregnancy mother/neonate pairs were analyzed for their concentration of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Maternal and neonatal Zn concentrations had geometric means (and 99% confidence intervals) of 122.5 μg/g (117.9–131.5 μg/g) and 146.9 μg (141.5–156.7 μg/g) respectively. Corresponding Cu values were 18.4 μg/g (17.6–23.8 μg/g) and 6.7 μg/g (6.3–7.6 μg/g). Those of Cd were 0.49 μg/g (0.47–0.69 μg/g) in the mothers and 0.57 μg/g (0.55–0.86 μg/g) in the neonates. For Pb, they were 7.95 μg/g (7.60–9.32 μg/g) and 4.56 μg/g (4.39–5.56 μg/g). Cigaret smoking, despite its relatively low prevalence (19.5%), was associated with lower Zn and higher Cd and Pb concentrations and in lower Zn/Cd and Zn/Pb molar concentration ratios. Smoking also altered interelemental relationships, particularly those of Zn with Cd and Pb and those between Cd and Pb. Smoking frequency appeared to show negative dose-response effects on maternal and neonatal Zn concentrations, Zn/Pb molar concentration ratios, and birth weight. Mothers with a history of oral contraceptive (OC) usage had significantly higher Cu concentrations and lower Zn/Cu molar concentration ratios than nonusers, with the highest Cu concentrations and lowest Zn/Cu values being associated with third-generation OCs. No similar effects were elicited in the respective neonatal Cu concentrations. Neither alcohol consumption nor prenatal supplementation with iron and/or folic acid had discernible effects on the maternal or neonatal elemental concentrations. The data from this study suggest that in a given population of term-pregnancy mothers and neonates, significant interindividual variations in hair trace element concentrations can occur, irrespective of commonality of general environment, and that lifestyle factors, including cigaret smoking and OC usage history, can be significant contributory factors to such variations. The data are discussed in relation to the effects of smoking-associated exposure to Cd and Pb exposure on Zn availability for placental transfer, as well as on the quantitative maternal Zn supply levels to the fetus resulting from the known tendency of smokers to have lower dietary intakes of Zn. The higher Cu concentrations in OC users are discussed in relation to altered Cu metabolism, characterized by increased synthesis of the Cu-binding protein, ceruloplasmin, as an acute-phase antioxidant response to altered lipid profile and increased lipid oxidation.     

Small-scale Gold Mining in the Puyango River Basin,Southern Ecuador: A Study of Environmental Impacts andHuman Exposures

This study addresses the impact of small-scale gold mining on the environment and communities of the Puyango River basin in the southwest of Ecuador between 1999 and 2001. Our primary objectives were to measure mercury, manganese, and lead in the river, to identify pathways of population exposure, and biological indicators of human exposure. A multi-method design at the catchment scale was applied to the analysis of water, sediments, and particulate matter for mercury, lead, and manganese over two different seasons. A household survey was undertaken, and individuals were assessed for lead (blood samples), and for mercury (urine and hair samples). River water samples had high concentrations of particulate matter (700 mg/L). Mercury and lead levels in water at the gold processing plants were very high in both seasons (250 ng Hg/L and 160 μg Pb/L). Mercury and lead, there was a downstream gradient with the areas adjacent to the gold processing plants having the highest levels. In Portovelo, the Upper Basin city, 14% of the population reported occupational exposure to inorganic mercury. Although no one in Portovelo consumes water from the river, 10% of the population consume local fish. This contrasts the Lower Basin where 98% of the population consume fish, and 100% use river water for drinking and cooking. Lead blood levels over 20 μg/dl were found in 39.4% of the study population and blood mercury over 10 μg/L only in 10.0%. Urinary mercury over 4 μg/L was found in 66.5% of the examined persons. Hair methylmercury did not exceed the safe limit of 2 μg/g, the mean concentration was 1.2 μg/g. Mining activity and erosion contributes to heavy-metal contamination (mercury, lead, and manganese) throughout the Puyango Basin. The relation between environmental contamination is complex and further research is being conducted to understand these relations.     

Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of arizona children with autism and associated conditions, and their mothers

The objective of this study ws to assess the levels of 39 toxic metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with autism spectrum disorders and their mothers compared to controls. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the elemental content of the hair of children with autism spectrum disorders (n=51), a subset of their mothers (n=29), neurotypical children (n=40), and a subset of their mothers (n=25). All participants were recruited from Arizona. Iodine levels were 45% lower in the children with autism (p=0.005). Autistic children with pica had a 38% lower level of chromium (p=0.002). Autistic children with low muscle tone had very low levels of potassium (−66%, p=0.01) and high zinc (31%, p=0.01). The mothers of young children with autism had especially low levels of lithium (56% lower, p=0.005), and the young children (ages 3–6 yr) with autism also had low lithium (−30% p=0.04). Low iodine levels are consistent with previous reports of abnormal thyroid function, which likely affected development of speech and cognitive skills. Low lithium in the mothers likely caused low levels of lithium in the young children, which could have affected their neurological and immunological development. Further investigations of iodine, lithium, and other elements are warranted.     

Lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium content in hair of children and young people with some neurological diseases

The lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium levels of scalp hair taken from 153 children aged 1–15 yr and young people (16–18 yr) with selected neurological disorders (hyperexcibility, loss of consciousness, and epileptiform convulsions of an unknown origin, etc.), were measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry method and then compared with a control group of healthy children (n=108). The research indicated significantly reduced mean levels of magnesium in the hair of children suffering from selected neurological diseases (in children aged 11–15 yr of age, above 30%; up to 5 yr of age, nearly 30%; the differences were statistically significant at p<0.05) and slightly decreased mean levels of copper (differences statistically significant at p<0.05, particularly in the 11 to 15-yr category). Differences in zinc levels in hair were inconsiderable (not statistically significant in any age groups). The lead level in the hair of the above-mentioned group of children was exceeded in relation to the control group (a statistically significant difference at p<0.05 for the total group). A more than twofold decrease in the mean value of the Mg/Pb ratio (and a nearly 30% decrease in the value of the Mg/Zn ratio) in the hair of children suffering from neurological diseases suggests that the high toxicity of lead accompanying, among other things, magnesium deficiencies might be a cause of the observed disorders in children.     

Lead levels in bone and hair of rats treated with lead acetate

The use of hair and bone as media in evaluation of lead exposure was investigated in this study. For 12–16 wk rats were given tap water containing lead acetate in the following concentrations: 41.7 mg Pb/L, 83.3 mg Pb/L, and 166.6 mg Pb/L. The animals were sacrificed every 4 wk and their tibia bones and hair were collected for determination of lead content. In control animals, the lead level amounted to 1.2 μg/g (range 0.8–1.3 μg/g) and 0.7 μg/g (range 0.4–2.0 μg/g) in bone and hair, respectively. In the treated rats the accumulation of lead in bone and hair occurred in a dose-dependent manner. A positive corelation (r=0.876) was established between the lead levels in bone and hair of the rats. The regression equation was as follows: μg Pb/g bone=0.842×μg Pb/g hair+1.868. After discontinuation of exposure, a significant decrease in the lead content in bone and hair was noticed. About 9 wk after cessation of treatment, the lead content in hair declined to the pre-exposure level, but 64% of the maximal lead concentration did remain in bone. The results of this study indicate that during a continuous exposure the lead level in hair reflects its content in bone. Such phenomena did not occur during the postexposure period.     

Effects of excess selenomethionine on selenium status indicators in pregnant long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Forty pregnant long-tailed macaques were treated daily for 30 d with 0, 25, 150 or 300 μg selenium as L-selenomethionine/kg body weight. Erythrocyte and plasma selenium and glutathione peroxidase specific activities, hair and fecal selenium, and urinary selenium excretion were increased by and were linearly related to L-selenomethionine dose. Hair selenium was most sensitive to L-selenomethionine dose, with an 84-fold increase in the 300 μg selenium/(kg-d) group relative to controls (r=0.917). Daily urinary selenium excretion (80-fold,r=0.958), plasma selenium (22-fold,r=0.885), erythrocyte selenium (24-fold,r=0.920), and fecal selenium (18-fold,r=0.911) also responded strongly to L-selenomethionine. Erythrocyte and plasma glutathione peroxidase specific activities increased 154% and 69% over controls, respectively. Toxicity was associated with erythrocyte selenium >2.3 μg/mL, plasma selenium >2.8 μg/mL, and hair selenium >27 μg/g. Plasma, erythrocyte, and hair selenium concentrations may be useful for monitoring and preventing the toxicity of L-selenomethionine administered to humans in cancer chemoprevention trials.     

Aflatoxins in peanut butter in Khartoum State,Sudan

Forty-three peanut butter samples from Khartoum State, Sudan, were analyzed for aflatoxins (AFs, AFB₁ + AFB₂ + AFG₁ + AFG₂) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection after extraction with methanol:water (8:1, v/v) and clean-up using chloroform. All samples were contaminated with AFs, with total AF levels ranging between 26.7 and 853 μg/kg, and a mean total AF level of 287 ± 200.5 μg/kg. The highest concentrations were found for AFB₁, (28 positive samples, maximum 534 μg/kg), while AFG₁ was most frequently detected (43 positive samples, maximum 401 μg/kg). AFB₂ (42 positive samples, maximum 3.2 μg/kg) and AFG₂ (4 positive samples, maximum 30 μg/kg) were also present in these samples. The mean AF contamination levels found in this study exceeded by far all international regulations concerning maximum levels for this group of toxins. From the data, it is concluded that the levels of AF contamination in peanut butter from the Kartoum area are quite alarming, and may pose serious health hazards to consumers. Therefore, an intervention strategy to manage AF in peanut butter is urgently needed.     

Essential trace and toxic element distribution in the scalp hair of Pakistani myocardial infarction patients and controls

The pathogenesis of heart disease has been associated with changes in the balance of certain trace elements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd contents in scalp hair samples of myocardial infarction (MCI) patients hospitalized in the cardiac ward of National Hospital in Hyderabad city (Pakistan). Scalp hair samples were collected from 193 patients (104 male, 89 female) of 3 age groups (46–60, 61–75, and 76–90 yr), for a comparative study, 200 normal, healthy subjects (103 male, 97 female) of the same age groups residing in the same city were selected. All metals in scalp hair samples were assessed by a flame/graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer, prior to microwave-assisted and conventional wet acid digestion methods. Results were calculated in micrograms per gram. The mean values of Fe and Zn of scalp hair samples of MCI patients were significantly reduced compared to the control subjects of both genders. The mean Fe concentrations in male patients were 19.42, 12.36, and 6.98 vs 30.69, 24.42, and 16.75 for the control patients in the three age groups (46–60, 61–75, and 76–90 yrs, respectively). The mean Zn concentration in male patients were 169.2, 149.4, and 107.7 μg/g vs 206.1, 188.0, and 154.4 μg/g for the control group (p<0.002, 0.004, and 0.001) in all three age groups, respectively. These differences were also observed in the female study groups. The mean values of Pb, Cd, and Ni were significantly high in patients compared to healthy subjects (mean Pb in male patients: 11.85, 12.89, and 14.52 those of female patients were 11.88, 12.73, and 14.21 vs the male controls patients (6.08, 7.56, and 8.56) and female controls (5.99, 7.41, and 8.25) for all three age groups, respectively. The concentration of Ni and Cd in the scalp hair samples of the heart patients of both sexes were significantly higher compared to the control; in the case of Ni the range of significant difference for males was found to be p<0.001–0.009 and for females to be p<0.0.002–0.007 and significantly high concentration of Cd were observed in hair samples of patients than in controls in the range for males (p<0.001–0.009) and in females (p<0.001–0.011). The Zn/Cu and Zn/Cd ratios in the scalp hair (p<0.01) of the diseased groups were significantly lower than that of the healthy groups. Deficiency of essential trace metals and high level of toxic metals might play a role in the development of heart disease in the subjects of this study. Toxic metals might also cause diminished absorption of essential elements.     

Zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins in mixed-feed for laying hens

Fusarium toxins are secondary metabolites produced byfungi of these genera in many commodities under certain conditions. A study was carried out to investigate the co-occurrence of zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FB₁ and FB₂) in 52 samples of mixed-feed for poultry contaminated withFusarium verticillioides. The zearalenone and deoxynivalenol were checked using immunoaffinity column and the extraction of fumonisin was performed by strong anion exchange (SAX) solid phase column. Detection and quantification were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The limit of detection was 5 μg/kg for ZEN, 100 μg/kg for DON and 50 and 100 μg/kg for FB₁ and FB₂ respectively.Fusarium toxins were detected in 20 samples. Sixteen samples were positive for ZEN (30.7%) presenting levels that ranged from 7.4 μg/kg to 61.4 μg/kg (mean=27.0 μg/kg). 13.5% of the samples presented contaminations of DON, with levels ranging from 100.0 μg/kg to 253 μg/kg (mean=l18.07 μg/kg). FB₁ was detected in 19.2% of samples, with levels ranging from 50.0 μg/kg to 110.0 μg/kg (mean=73.6 μg/kg). FB2 was not detected in any sample. In positive samples simultaneously contamination with two or three mycotoxins were detected in 9 of them (17.3%).     

Dietary fluoride prevents phosphorus-induced nephrocalcinosis in female rats

Cadmium concentrations were determined in the hair of 226 school children in an industrial and in a rural area of Tarragona Province (NE Spain). The influence of sex, age, hair color, smoking habits of the household members, and parents’ occupation on the children’s hair cadmium levels was also evaluated. Children living in the industrial area had much more cadmium in their hair than those living in the rural area (median: 0.327 vs 0.002; arithmetic mean: 0.401 vs 0.119 μg/g). Girls had more cadmium in their hair than boys, and cadmium levels decreased with the age independently of the sex. Smoking habits and parents’ occupation also influenced the hair cadmium content in the children examined. In contrast, hair color has no influence on hair cadmium values.     

Occurrence of Fumonisin B<Subscript>1</Subscript> in Corn from the Main Corn-Producing Areas of China

Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) is the most abundant of the fumonisin mycotoxins, mainly produced in maize by F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. A total of 282 corn samples harvested in 2005 from six provinces, the main corn-producing areas of China, were analyzed for FB₁ using high-performance liquid chromatography. All samples except one were (99.6%) positive for FB₁ at levels varying from 3 to 71,121 ng/g with mean and median levels for all samples of 6,662 and 1,569 ng/g, respectively. During an analysis of the distribution pattern for FB₁, it became apparent that 43.6% of tested samples had FB₁ concentrations below 1,000 ng/g, while 25.2% contained in excess of 5,000 ng/g. The average exposure to FB₁ (1.1 μg/kg body weight/day) is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2 μg/kg body weight/day set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Biomonitoring of Lead and Cadmium in the Hair and Fingernails of Elderly Korean Subjects

Lead and cadmium are toxic to humans at excessive levels, and monitoring the human body burden of these metals is important in preventing adverse health effects. In this study, we assessed the exposure to lead and cadmium among an elderly population 60 years of age or older. Based on data from 115 participants, we found that the geometric mean lead concentrations in hair and fingernails were 1.11 μg/g [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–1.58] and 1.11 μg/g (95% CI 0.81–1.51), respectively. The lead concentrations in hair and fingernails were significantly related to cigarette smoking. The geometric mean cadmium concentrations in hair and fingernails were 52.6 ng/g (95% CI 42.0–65.9) and 40.1 ng/g (95% CI 29.9–53.9), respectively. Cadmium concentrations in hair were significantly related to body mass index and cigarette smoking, whereas higher fingernail cadmium concentrations were related to alcohol drinking. Correlations between hair and fingernail concentrations of lead and of cadmium were slightly positive. Our findings suggest that the body burden of lead and cadmium varies according to demographic factors, and hair and fingernails could be used differentially as a biological medium for metal exposure.     

Correlations between trace element levels in head hair and blood components of Nigerian subjects

Elemental concentrations in head hair and blood (whole-blood, erythrocytes and plasma) of 28 Nigerian subjects were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques. Correlations found between different elements in hair and blood are reported. Hair levels of both zinc and chlorine were found to be significantly correlated with their levels in erythrocytes.     

Monitoring Metals in Blood and Hair of the Population Living Near a Hazardous Waste Incinerator: Temporal Trend

The concentrations of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, and V were determined in hair of 96 school children and in blood of 144 adults living in the vicinity of a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) (Constantí, Tarragona County, Catalonia, NE Spain). The results were compared with those obtained in previous (1998 and 2002) surveys performed in the same area. Data were analyzed in terms of age, sex, and specific place of residence. Current mean concentrations in hair ranged between not detected (ND) (As, Be, and Tl) and 1.31 μg/g for Cr. In blood, Be, Hg, Mn, Sn, and Tl levels were under the respective detection limits. The mean blood concentrations of the remaining elements ranged from 0.34 μg/dL for Cd, to 2.40 μg/dL for Pb. Significant differences in hair and blood in relation to gender were only noted for Pb in blood. In general terms, metal concentrations in hair and blood from subjects living in Tarragona County are lower than most levels reported for other countries in recent years.     

Fungi,Aflatoxins, Fumonisin B<Subscript>l</Subscript> and Zearalenone Contaminating Sorghum-based Traditional Malt,Wort and Beer in Botswana

Brewing and consumption of traditional beer have social–economic significance in most African countries including Botswana. Traditional sorghum malt, wort, and beer samples were collected from three villages around Gaborone, Botswana. Forty-six malt samples were analyzed for fungi on three different media and developing colonies were subcultured for identification. Rhizopus, Fusarium, Mucor, and Aspergillus were the most common genera isolated. Out of the 46 malt samples, 72% contained Rhizopus stolonifer, 63% Fusarium verticillioides (syn. Fusarium moniliforme), and 37% Aspergillus flavus. Although Aspergillus flavus was isolated from malt samples, aflatoxins (B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂) were not detected in any of the samples analyzed. When the malt, wort, and beer samples were analyzed for fumonisin B_l and zearalenone, fumonisin B₁ was detected in 3 malt samples, with concentrations ranging from 47 to 1316 μg/kg, while zearalenone was detected in 56%, 48% and 48% of the malt, wort and beer samples, respectively. Zearalenone concentration in samples ranged from 102 to 2213 μg/kg in malt, 26 to 285 μg/l in wort and 20 to 201 μg/l, in beer. Zearalenone carry-over from wort to beer ranged from 23 to 403%. Therefore, although aflatoxins and fumonisin B₁ do not appear to be major contaminants, zearalenone is common and could pose a potential problem in traditional beer in Botswana.     

Comparison of Trace Elements in the Scalp Hair of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions Versus Healthy Women

Trace elements including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in the scalp hair samples of women with malignant breast lesions, women with benign breast lesions, and healthy donors using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, the highest average concentration was shown by Ca (1,187 μg/g), followed by Na (655 μg/g), Mg (478 μg/g), Zn (391 μg/g), Sr (152 μg/g), Fe (114 μg/g), and K (89.8), while in the case of benign-tumor patients, the average estimated element levels were 1,522, 1,093, 572, 457, 217, 80.4, and 74.7 μg/g, respectively. Most of the elements exhibited non-normal distribution evidenced by large spread, standard error, and skewness values. Mean concentrations of Ca (634 μg/g), Zn (206 μg/g), Mg (162 μg/g), Fe (129 μg/g), and Na (82.1 μg/g) were noteworthy in the scalp hair of healthy women. Average levels of Na, Sr, K, Cd, Co, Pb, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Sb, and Mn were revealed to be significantly higher in the hair of malignant and benign patients compared to the healthy women; however, Fe, Cu, Al, and Cr were not significantly different in the scalp hair of the three groups. The quartile distributions of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sr revealed maximum spread in the scalp hair of malignant and benign groups; nevertheless, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn exhibited almost comparable quartile levels in the three groups. Strong correlation coefficients were found between Fe and Cd, Al and Na, Mn and Sr, Co and Cr, Cd and Cr, Pb and K, Pb and Mn, Cu and Na, and Al and Fe in the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, while Fe and K, Cd and Co, Na and Co, and Cr and Pb showed strong correlations in the scalp hair of benign-tumor patients, both of which were significantly different compared with the healthy subjects. Multivariate cluster analysis also revealed divergent clustering of the elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign patients in comparison with the healthy women.     

Fumonisin mycotoxins in human hair

This study shows for the first time the accumulation of fumonisin mycotoxins in human hair of population clusters exposed to contaminated maize, and thus the feasibility of human hair analysis for the assessment of past fumonisin exposure. Composite hair samples were obtained from the Bizana, Butterworth and Centane districts within the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Following methanol extraction and strong anion exchange clean up, the fumonisins FB₁, FB₂ and FB₃ were detected using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). Hair from Centane and Butterworth showed mean levels of FB₁ of 26.7 and 23.5 μg kg^?1 hair, respectively. FB₂ was only detected in hair from Centane and in one sampling point in Butterworth, with mean levels of 6.5 and 5.7 μg kg^?1 hair, respectively. Hair samples from Bizana, on the other hand, were found to contain higher levels of FB 1 (mean 33.0 μg kg^?1 hair) and FB 2 (mean 11.1 μg kg^?1 hair). No samples contained more than trace levels of FB 3 . Recoveries from spiked hair samples using this method ranged from 81% to 101%, demonstrating the applicability of hair analysis in assessing human exposure to fumonisin mycotoxins.