TITLE:
Analysis of Heavy Metals in Human Hair Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
AUTHORS:
Onuwa O. Peter, Ishaq S. Eneji, Rufus Sha’Ato
KEYWORDS:
Heavy Metals; Human Scalp Hair; AAS; Concentration
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Analytical Chemistry,
Vol.3 No.11,
November
29,
2012
ABSTRACT: Hair samples of individual were analysed for heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb and As) across gender and various occupational distributions by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique (AAS). The results of replicate analysis shows the following mean concentrations (mg/kg): Cd = 27.8 ± 8.0, Cr = 2.70 ± 0.7, Pb = 73.8 ± 42.3 and As = 222 ± 34.1. The coefficients of variation for the total distribution is; Cd = 28%, Cr = 26%, Pb = 57% and As = 15%. The distribution of the metals follows the series in decreasing order of As ＞ Pb ＞ Cd ＞ Cr, while their coefficients of variation is in the order of Pb ＞ Cd ＞Cr ＞ As. The result shows the presence of all the metals in relatively large amounts with As having the highest concentration between the two genders. The difference between male and female concentration could be due to individual differences in exposure to heavy metal load as a result of habitual or environmental factors.