Biological Monitoring of Content of Heavy Metals in Hair of Children in the Arctic Zone of Russia

Abstract

Aim of investigation. To study the content of heavy metals: zinc, iron, copper, lead, arsenic, manganese, chromium, cadmium and mercury in hair samples of children permanently residing on the territory of the Arctic zone of Russia. Methods. In the process of research, a method of atomic absorption spectrometry with flame and electrothermal atomization, the cold vapor method was used. In the transverse study, 48 children aged 7 to 17 years were involved. Hair sampling was performed from the occipital part of the head. Hair represents an ideal object of research and is one of the informative tissue structures of a person. The obtained results were compared with the reference values established for residents of the Volga and Ural federal districts of the Russian Federation. Results. Exceed-ances of the recommended values for copper, iron, manganese and zinc in 100.0 %, 66.7 %, 25.0 % and 22.2 % samples respectively in the children of Salekhard at the age of 7-11; and iron, copper, chromium, zinc and manganese in 70.0 %, 50.0 %, 44.4 %, 40.0 % and 20.0 % of samples respectively for the children of Salekhard at the age of 13-16 years. The children of the village of Yar-Sale, two age groups have exceeded the recommended levels for iron, chromium, copper and zinc, the percentage of such samples for children aged 7 to 11 years was 100.0 %, 85.7 %, 57.1 % and 7.1 % respectively, and for children from 13 to 17 years- 100.0 %, 86.7 %, 13.3 % and 13.3 % respectively. Conclusion. The conducted studies on the study of heavy metals in hair of both age groups of children in in settlement Yar-Sale and city Salekhard found exceedances of recommended values for zinc, copper, iron, chromium (except for the age group of children of 7-11 years of Salekhard) and manganese (for children living in Salekhard).