Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists 2016

of Bosnia and Herzegovina

46
Print ISSN: 0367-4444 UDC: __________________________
19-26
Online ISSN: 2232-7266 Original Scientific Paper

Analysis of Some Metals in Human Hair by the AAS Method

Mutap A ., Huremović J.*, Nuhanović M.

University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo,
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract: The essential and toxic elements are contained in drinking water, food and the air -
Article info in the entire general human surrounding. Considering the effects of these elements on human
Received: 11/03/2016
Accepted: 12/04/2016 health, the recommended/allowed levels of their intake into the organism are defined by the
national and international regulations. Those levels are an important indicator of the state an
Keywords: metals organism is, which is determined by different biological samples of human origin. In this
Human hair
Contamination work, the determination of the concentrations of metals was performed on human hair samples
AAS of the people living on the area of Kiseljak. The metal levels that were established in the hair
were of those essential metals (copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron) and of two toxic
metals (chromium and cadmium). The human hair sampling was carried out during the period
of November 2014. - February 2015. The group of responders was male and female donors of
*Corresponding author:
E-mail: jasnahuremovic@yahoo.com various ages, (2-66 years old). By the examination of the results, the specifications that were
Phone: 00387 33 279881
Fax: 00387 33 279 988 taken into consideration were the following: age and gender of the hair donor, chemical
treatment of the hair, smoking habits of the donors. The technique that was applied for
determining the concentration of the heavy metals in the samples was the atomic absorption
spectrometry (AAS). The final results showed a normal and in some cases increased,
be exposed to small quantities of heavy metals through
concentration of essential metals. The water,
food, contentair
of Cr
andand Cd in all analyzed samples was below
the limit of quantification of used technique.
.
INTRODUCTION commercial products of different purposes. Depending on
their type and chemical properties, elements differ in their
Heavy metals is a term that covers a group of elements mobility in the environment and their toxic effect on
with similar chemical properties. Some of them, including plants, animals and humans. Although certain inorganic
copper, iron, zinc, play an important role in human types also have different chemical properties, major
organism and are called essential metals, while others are differences are achieved by creation of metal-carbon links,
not known as being useful for our health, or more precisely or by creation of organometallic compounds (Bošnir,
they are toxic. High concentrations of heavy metals may 2005). Hair, just like the fat tissue, is the organism's
cause health problems (Puntaric et. al., 2012). People may storage of toxic and other matters, and the longer the hair
20 Mutap et al.

is, the longer the period over which the analysis can Company (Germany). Concentrations were determined using
determine the organism's status. Hair analysis is very the calibration curve method.
important because it indicates the actual status of organism Analytical quality control - All used reagents had the
and the actual nutritional status, as well as the quantity of analytical grade of purity (Merck, Germany). Repeatability of
stored and accumulated toxins, all of which can be reliably results was checked by performing three tests for each sample
determined only by the hair mineral analysis (Chojnacka et and calculating the value of standard deviation. Given the lack
al., 2005). It is an analysis whose results do not vary day to of the certified reference material (CRM), analytical recovery
day and are not subject to multiple changes like the blood was determined for the entire analytical procedure for all
count, or blood or urine tests (Chojnacka et al., 2005). analyzed metals by adding standard metal solutions. Method
Lack or increased concentration of essential trace elements accuracy was confirmed based on satisfactory recovery factor
in hair indicates serious problems in the physiology of values (93.2 – 105.8%).
human organism (Dombovari et al., 1998; (Dombovari et
al., 1999). Thus, for example, a low concentration of RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
bioelements such as Zn, Fe, Ca in human hair is a typical
indicator of deficiency diseases, metabolic and In this paper the concentrations of copper, zinc, chrome,
physiological disorders (Katz et al., 1988). In addition to cadmium, calcium, magnesium and iron in 34 hair samples
that, human hair is a very attractive biological material in classified by gender, age, smoking habits and chemical
terms of sampling, transporting and storage, and also treatment of hair, was determined. The respondent group
because it provides information on the concentration of consisted of male and female subjects of different age (2-
certain trace elements that are found in hair in much larger 66 years of age), but with the same place of residence,
concentrations than in other biological samples which Kiseljak.
makes the analysis easier (Zhunk et al., 1995). For all the
reasons described above, determination of contents Table 1. Data on hair samples and abbreviated codes of samples used
for analysis
(concentration) of trace elements in hair has been a Sample Sex Age Color Smoker Chemically
continual activity in the field of biomedical and code treated
environmental studies over the past three decades (Arnold, A F 44 black YES NO
Sachs, 1994), (Ciszewski et al., 1997). B M 45 black YES YES
C M 8 brown NO NO
EXPERIMENTAL Ć M 14 brown NO NO
Č M 60 gray YES NO
The experimental section of this paper is devoted to D F 56 brown YES YES
Đ F 33 brown YES YES
analyzing the contents of elements Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cr
DŽ M 15 brown NO NO
and Cd in human hair using the method of atomic
E M 18 black NO NO
absorption spectrometry (AAS), flame technique. Hair
F F 18 brown NO NO
samples were taken from 34 individuals, 14 male and 20 G F 60 gray NO YES
female. Determination of trace heavy metal concentration H F 26 blond NO YES
was performed on healthy population taking into I M 2 blond NO NO
consideration specifications such as gender, age, smoking J F 9 brown NO NO
habits and chemical treatment of hair. K M 47 black NO NO
Preparation of samples for analysis - Previously washed L M 25 black NO NO
samples of human hair were cut into 0.5-1 cm long LJ M 41 brown YES NO
portions which were then weighed three times to within M M 63 gray YES NO
1,0 ± 0,1 g. Acid digestion of samples was performed with N M 11 brown NO NO
concentrated HNO3 adding 1 mL 30% H2O2. The solution NJ F 48 blond YES YES
was filtered and the contents quantitatively transferred to a O F 23 brown NO YES
50 mL volumetric flask. Distilled water was added until P F 44 brown YES YES
R F 41 red YES YES
the volumetric flasks were filled to the mark. These
S F 35 blond YES YES
prepared solutions were used for determination of metals
Š F 45 blond YES YES
using the method of atomic absorption spectrometry, flame
T F 4 blond NO NO
technique. U F 27 brown YES NO
Determination of metal contents in hair samples - V M 2 brown NO NO
Contents of metals (essential and non-essential) were Z F 50 black YES YES
determined using the method of atomic absorption Ž F 65 brown YES YES
spectrometry - flame technique (FAAS, Spectra AA-10, X M 66 gray NO NO
Varian). The instrument was previously calibrated with Y F 60 brown NO YES
standard solutions of the tested metals. Standard solutions of Q F 14 brown NO NO
the metals, 1000 mg/L, are original standards of the Merck q F 63 red YES YES
Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016, 46, 19-26 21

In all respondents the contents of toxic metals Cr and Cd

was below the lower limit of quantification. Contents of
the analyzed essential metals did not significantly deviate
from normal values (Biolab Medical Unit, 2010) of the
analyzed metals in healthy individuals and coincide with
reference data from other international studies
(Baranowska et al., 2004; Sokolowska et al., 2007).

Human hair is approximately 80 % protein and 15 %

water, with smaller amounts of lipid and inorganic
substances, and its composition also includes copper, zinc, Figure 1. Mass concentration of copper in human hair samples
iron and other elements (Wilson, 2007). Normal values, or As can be seen from Figure 2, copper content increases
intervals of concentration of some metals in hair, with age until the age of 30 when it reaches its maximum
expressed in µg/g of hair are given in Table 2 (Biolab value and then begins to slightly decrease with age.
Medical Unit, 2010).

Table 2. Normal element concentrations in human hair (Biolab

Medical Unit, 2010)

Element Concentration Element Concentration

(µg/g) (µg/g)
Ca 200 - 2800 Mn 0.2 – 2.00
Cr 0.10 – 1.50 Mg 60 – 160
Co 0.01 – 0.20 P 100 - 200
Cu 10 – 100 K 50 – 300
Fe 5.0 -30 Se 0.40 – 2.00
Na 50 - 1000 Zn 160 - 240
Al < 50.0 As < 1.00
Figure 2. Comparison of age-related copper concentrations in hair
Cd < 0.10 Pb < 2.00
During the sampling, data related to smoking habits were
In this work, mass concentration of seven metals was
collected from hair donors. Mean values of Cu
determined. Obtained results for the content of copper,
concentrations in hair samples of smokers was 12.90 µg/g,
zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron in hair samples will be
and in non-smokers' hair 9.90 µg/g. However, it cannot be
presented in charts as mean values of concentrations. In
generally stated that copper content in all hair samples of
addition to the presentation of total results, the results of
smokers is higher than the content in non-smokers. As
analysis of these metals were compared based on gender,
regards the copper content in chemically treated and
age, smoking habits and chemical treatment of hair.
untreated hair, content in chemically treated hair ranged
Contents of chromium and cadmium were below the limit
between 7.67 and 17.98 µg/g, and in chemically untreated
of quantification of the used method in all samples.
between 6.20 and 21.12 µg/g. A slightly higher mean value
of copper concentration in chemically treated hair was
Copper content in human hair samples - Concentration
obtained and it was 12.97 µg/g, while the content in
of copper in hair samples was in the range between 6.20
untreated hair was 10.00 µg/g.
and 25.02 µg/g. Therefore, as the results show, most of the
tested hair samples contain copper in concentrations which
Zinc content in human hair samples - Obtained values of
are, in most cases, slightly below the lower optimal
zinc concentration ranged between 30.40 and 214.55 µg/g
concentration of copper, but within the range of normal
and all of them fall within the normal range of zinc
values. Comparison of the results with the results of other
concentrations (Biolab Medical Unit, 2010) in hair
published papers shows that the measured concentrations
samples and most are close to the optimum concentration
of copper are similar to those obtained in researches
values (The Agency for Toxic Substances Disease
conducted by other authors in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Registry, 2003). Similar results were also obtained in other
(Hajdar, 2014), as well as researches conducted in other
publications (Mahmutović, 2012; Hajdar, 2014).
European countries (Sokolowska et al., 2007; Biolab
Lower content of zinc was found in nine samples. Those
Medical Unit, 2010).
are samples taken from the youngest and the oldest
Copper content in the hair of female population ranged
individuals. There are numerous reasons for less-than-
between 7.67 and 25.02 µg/g, while that in male
optimal zinc concentrations, such as diet, stress, menstrual
population was between 6.20 and 21.12 µg/g. There are no
pronounced gender-related differences in copper content.
22 Mutap et al.

cycle, internal infections and numerous other factors taken from a male child aged 2 years. Increased calcium in
(Freeman, 1999). blood can occur due to increased discharge of calcium
from bones, increased absorption from the digestive
system or due to decreased discharge in kidneys (Phyllis,
2006).

Figure 3. Mass concentration of zinc in human hair samples

Mean value of zinc concentration in male population is Figure 5. Mass concentration of calcium in hair samples
111.32 µg/g, and in female population 138.58 µg/g, which
indicates that zinc concentration in female hair is slightly Mean value of Ca concentration in hair samples of
higher. smokers is 6080.48 µg/g, and the value in non-smokers'
hair is 1798.33 µg/g. It can be concluded that higher
calcium concentration was found in hair samples taken
from smokers which can be explained by the fact that
calcium is an integral component of tobacco (Rehak,
2013). Mean value of calcium concentration in chemically
treated hair was 6928.93 µg/g, and mean value in
chemically untreated hair was 1353.88 µg/g. Mean value
of calcium concentration in male respondents is 795.05
µg/g, while mean value in female respondents is higher
and above the limit of normal values and was 6224.83
µg/g. Results for age-related calcium content are shown in
Figure 6.

Figure 4. Comparison of age-related zinc concentrations in hair

As shown in Figure 4, obtained results do not indicate a

regular age-related change in zinc concentration, more
precisely, the data does not allow for reliable linking of
zinc concentrations and respondents' age. Based on the
mean values of Zn concentrations in samples of smokers,
which was 123.0 µg/g, and in samples of non-smokers,
which was 128 µg/g, it can be concluded that there are no
pronounced differences in zinc content. A slightly higher
zinc concentration of 133.11 µg/g was found in chemically
treated hair in comparison to mean values of zinc
concentration found in untreated hair which was 120.16 Figure 6. Comparison of age-related calcium concentration in hair
µg/g.
Calcium content changed with age, more precisely it
Calcium content in human hair samples - As shown in reaches its peak at the age between 31 and 40 years, when
Figure 5, calcium concentrations in hair samples ranged it slowly begins to decrease, according to the literature
between 99.04 and 14882.63 µg/g. It can be concluded that (Pereira, 2004). The lowest calcium concentration in hair
the values of calcium concentration obtained in most of the is found in age group 11 - 20 years because in this period
samples are within the range of normal values. Mean our bones need a lot of calcium, which they obtain from
values obtained in several samples deviate from the normal the organism, in order to reach their maximum density
concentration, but only in female hair samples, while in before the age of 30 years, when the bones slowly start to
one sample the mean value of calcium concentration is lose calcium (Pereira, 2004), which is confirmed by the
below the lower limit of normal values and it is the sample obtained results.
Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016, 46, 19-26 23

Magnesium content in human hair samples - Higher mean value of magnesium concentration of 158.06
Magnesium content in hair samples ranged between 2.11 µg/g was found in chemically treated hair when compared
and 382.34 µg/g. Obtained values of magnesium to the mean value of chemically untreated hair, which was
concentration are within the concentrations that are 47.97 µg/g.
considered normal. Lower than normal magnesium values
were found mainly in male respondents. Mean value of Iron content in human hair samples - Results of iron
magnesium concentration in male hair was 47.43 µg/g, and content in hair samples are shown in Figure 9. Iron
in female hair was 135.44 µg/g. Mean values of concentrations in 34 analyzed samples range between
magnesium concentration are shown in Figure 7. 18.04 and 310.30 µg/g. If we compare the obtained results
with the results of other experimental measurements, we
can see that the found iron concentrations are similar to the
values of concentrations obtained in other publications
(Fleming, 2001).

Figure 7. Mass concentration of magnesium in hair samples

Figure 9. Mass concentration of iron in hair samples

Iron content in the hair of male population ranged between

22.17 and 310.30 µg/g, and the mean value of
concentrations was 96.32 µg/g. Iron content in female
population ranged between 18.04 and 147.53 µg/g, and the
mean value of concentration was lower as expected and
was 59.78 µg/g. As shown in Figure 10, it is not possible
to link the iron content in hair with the age of respondents.

Figure 8. Comparison of age-related magnesium concentration in

hair

Obtained results indicate a regular change in Mg

concentration with age. Age group 11 - 20 years was the
one with the lowest magnesium concentration, but this is
explained by the fact that our bones need a lot of
magnesium during childhood and at young age, which they
then take from the organism to reach their maximum
density at about the age of thirty years, when the bones
slowly start to lose magnesium (Pereira et al., 2004),
which is confirmed by the obtained results. Figure 10. Comparison of age-related iron concentration in hair
If we look at the mean value of Mg concentrations found
in hair samples obtained from smokers, which was 138.03 Mean Fe concentration in hair samples obtained from
µg/g, and those obtained from non-smokers, which was smokers were slightly higher and was 86.87 µg/g, while in
59.81 µg/g, then we can conclude that higher magnesium non-smokers were 66.18 µg/g. Thus, in both cases we have
concentration was found in hair samples taken from close values. Somewhat higher mean value of iron
smokers, which can be explained by the fact that tobacco concentration at 78.88 µg/g was found in chemically
contains magnesium which participates in photosynthesis untreated hair compared with the mean value of
as an integral part of chlorophyll to a lower degree, and to chemically treated hair which was at 72.17 µg/g.
a higher degree was found in the form of other compounds Analysis of concentration of some metals in hair indicated
(Rehak, 2013). age and gender-related differences in concentrations. In a
24 Mutap et al.

Polish research conducted on large groups of respondents The mass concentration of most of analyzed metals are
(600 to 2,500 respondents out of the total of 3,349 tested over the normal concentration of metals in human hair
individuals), analysis of biometals and toxic metals (Ca, (Biolab MedicalUnit, 2010).
Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd) was performed in several groups
of different age, or different gender (men and women). REFERENCES
Results of the research have indicated differences in the
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female respondents (same as in our work) (Baranowska et Multielemental Analysis of Hair and Teeth.
al., 2004; Sokolowska et al., 2007). The mentioned results Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 13(6),
almost entirely coincide with the results obtained in this 639 – 646.
paper, in terms of the stated tested parameters. Biolab Medical Unit, (2010). Nutritional anEnvironmental
Medicine, Hair Mineral Analysis, London,
CONCLUSIONS England.
Bošnir J., Čulig J., (2005). Metali i polumetali u okolišu,
Content of copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron, Zdravstveno sveleučilište, Zagreb
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determined using the method of atomic absorption (2005). Inter – Element interactions in human
spectrometry, flame technique. In most of the cases, hair. Environmental Toxicology and
obtained concentrations were within the range of values Pharmacology, 20, 368 – 374.
that are considered normal. Chromium and cadmium Ciszewski A., Wasiak W., Ciszewska W., (1997). Hair
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method in all samples. voltammetric determination of thallium in human
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Copper content increases with age until the age of 30, human hair, Microhemical Journal, 59, 187 – 193.
when it reaches its maximum value and then begins to Dombovári J., Papp L., Uzonyi I., Borbély-Kiss I., Elekes
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Summary/Sažetak
Esencijalni i toksični elementi se nalaze u hrani, vodi za piće i zraku - u cjelokupnoj ljudskoj, općoj i radnoj okolini.
Preporučene ili dopuštene razine njihovog unosa u organizam, vezano za efekte na zdravlje, regulisane su nacionalnim i
međunarodnim propisima i pokazateljima. Sadržaj teških metala je važan indikator stanja organizma i određuje se u različitim
biološkim uzorcima humanog porijekla. U ovom radu određivane su koncentracije metala u ljudskoj kosi osoba koje žive na
području općine Kiseljak. Određivana je koncentracija esencijalnih metala (Cu, Zn, Caj, Mg i Fe) i dva toksična metala (Cd i
Cr). Uzorkovanje kose vršeno je u periodu od novembra 2014. godine do februara 2015. godine sa ciljem utvrđivanja razlike u
koncentracijama tragova elemenata u ljudskoj kosi kod donatora. Grupa ispitanika sačinjena je od osoba muškog i ženskog
spola različitih starosnih skupina (2-66 godina), a u obzir je uzeta starosna dob, spol, da li je kosa hemijski tretirana ili ne, da li
je donator pušač ili ne. Za određivanje koncentracije ispitivanih teških metala primijenjena je instrumentalna metoda analize -
atomska apsorpciona spektrometrija (AAS), plamena tehnika. Sadržaj esencijalnih metala je u granicama normalnih vrijednosti
za većinu ispitivanih uzoraka, uz izvjesna odstupanja koja su bliska području normalnih koncentracija. Sadržaj Cd i Cr u svim
uzorcima je bio ispod donje granice kvantifikacije korištene metode.
26 Mutap et al.