Essential Trace Elements in Scalp Hair of Residents across the Caspian Oil and Gas Region of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Most of the country’s oil and gas fields are situated in West Kazakhstan, mainly on the Caspian Sea coast, causing significant damage to the local environment and contributing to an imbalance in the trace element composition of the human body. The study is aimed to evaluate the relationship between the concentration of essential trace elements in scalp hair of the western Kazakhstan adult population and the remoteness of their residence from oil and gas fields. The concentration of essential trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Se, Zn) in the hair of 850 individuals aged 18–60 years was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In residents of settlements located at a distance of >110 km from oil and gas fields, the concentration of Cu and I in hair was significantly higher than in those closer to 110 km (p < 0.001). The content of Cu and I were associated with the distance to oil and gas fields (0.072 (95%CI: 0.050; 0.094)) and (0.121 (95%CI: 0.058; 0.185)), respectively. We detected a significant imbalance in the distribution of some essential trace elements in residents’ scalp hair from the Caspian region of western Kazakhstan, living near oil and gas fields. The concentrations of Cu and I were significantly interrelated with the distance to oil and gas fields. The level of copper in the hair of both inhabitants of the area most remote from oil and gas facilities and the entire population of western Kazakhstan as a whole remains significantly low. The data obtained provide evidence of the possible impact of pollutants generated by the oil and gas facilities on a shortage of essential trace elements and associated subsequent health risks.

Hair Toxic Trace Elements of Residents across the Caspian Oil and Gas Region of Kazakhstan: Cross-Sectional Study

“…The average age of the participants was 42 (31.0; 53.0) years. Among participants were 350 (41.2%) men, and 239 (28.1%) of the surveyed population lived in the city [ 36 ].…”

“…The study included 850 permanent residents aged 18–60 years. Detailed description of the settlements and recruitment procedures have been presented in our earlier publications [ 36 ]. Depending on the distance of residence from oil and gas fields, a comparison was made of the content of toxic elements Al, As, Be, Hg, Cd, and Pb in three groups: less than 16 km, from 16–110 km, and over 110 km.…”

Content of Essential Trace Elements in the Hair of Residents of the Caspian Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan Who Recovered from COVID-19

“…According to Umarova et al [ 26 ], the levels of copper in the hair of the inhabitants of the entire population of western Kazakhstan as a whole remains significantly low. However, speaking about the relatively low levels of copper in the hair of the inhabitants of this region, it must be remembered that the biogeochemical province of the zone of dry steppes, deserts, and semi-deserts, to which the territory of western Kazakhstan belongs, is characterized by a deficiency of copper [ 45 ].…”

“…Exclusion criteria were: acute infectious, surgical, and traumatic diseases, chronic somatic diseases in the stage of decompensation, occupational diseases, metal implants (including amalgam fillings), vegetarian diet, intake of vitamin and mineral supplements, pregnancy, childbirth less than one year ago, and lactation. Detailed descriptions of the sample, recruitment procedures, material collection, and analysis procedures were described in our earlier publications [ 26 , 27 ].…”

The study of the elemental status of the population of various industrial areas as an indicator of environmental pollution

“…Сегодня всё большее число исследований начинает уделять внимание особенностям микроэлементного статуса, что связано и с его изучением у населения, проживающего на определенных территориях -биогеохимических провинциях, а также в районах интенсивного промышленного производства [1]. При этом население таких территорий оказывается подвержено воздействию негативных факторов внешней среды, в том числе и дисбалансу содержания химических элементов в окружающей среде.…”