The Correlation Between Smoking Status of Family Members and Concentrations of Toxic Trace Elements in the Hair of Children

Abstract

Hair analysis is a promising tool for routine clinical screening and diagnosis of heavy metal exposure and essential trace element status in the human body. Systemic intoxications have been identified by anomalously high values of toxins in hair samples. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between smoking habit of the family members and the levels of toxic and nontoxic trace elements in hair samples of children. The randomized cross-sectional controlled study comprised of 95 children (41 girls and 54 boys) between the ages of 1 and 6 years. After written informed consent was obtained, a face-to-face interview was conducted with the families about educational background, total income of the family, and smoking habits of family members. The mineral elements considered in this study were Zn, Se, B, V, Co, Mo, Mn, iron (Fe), Be, aluminum (Al), As, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), Hg, chromium (Cr), Ag, Be, nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), Sn, and antimony (Sb). Hair mineral contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Sb, Fe, and Al in hair samples of children whose parents smoked were significantly higher than those whose parents were nonsmokers. The number of smokers and the frequency of smoking at home were positively correlated with Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Sb levels found. At the same time, it was found that there was no correlation between toxic element concentrations and family income or educational background excluding the levels of Cd. A correlation was observed between the smoking status of family members and levels of toxic trace elements in hair where this correlation was more significant with the levels of Pb and Cd. High socioeconomic status and the level of education of family members did not have any effect on toxic trace levels in hair samples of children.

Urinary levels of trace elements among primary school-aged children from Italy: The contribution of smoking habits of family members

“…Indeed, multivariate models evidenced that several elements increased significantly in urine of ETS exposed children, when cohabitants are used to smoke at home when they are in. In particular, this association occurred for Li, Ti, V, Co, Ga, Sr. Other studies reported a significant positive correlation between the intensity of ETS exposure in general population and increased levels of some tobacco-related elements in different biological matrices (hair, blood, urine) (Richter et al, 2009;Serdar et al, 2012;Viroonudomphol et al, 2016). Each of these studies, however, reported significant increases for different elements; Serdar et al (2012), for example, found that Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Sb levels in children's hair were positively correlated with the number of smokers and the frequency of smoking at home.…”

“…In particular, this association occurred for Li, Ti, V, Co, Ga, Sr. Other studies reported a significant positive correlation between the intensity of ETS exposure in general population and increased levels of some tobacco-related elements in different biological matrices (hair, blood, urine) (Richter et al, 2009;Serdar et al, 2012;Viroonudomphol et al, 2016). Each of these studies, however, reported significant increases for different elements; Serdar et al (2012), for example, found that Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Sb levels in children's hair were positively correlated with the number of smokers and the frequency of smoking at home. Richter et al (2009), instead, evidenced that the urinary concentrations of Cd, Pb, Sb, Ba, Be, Cs, Co, Molybdenum (Mo), Pt, Tl, Tungsten (W) of subjects aged from 6 to N65 years old increased in a similar fashion as theoretical tobacco smoke exposure increase, from unexposed to smokers.…”

Human hair analysis in relation to similar environmental and occupational exposure

“…They naturally accumulate relatively high levels of elements such as Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd or Fe. This may be the answer why subjects who declared to be smokers had higher amounts of Cu in hair than non-smokers (Afridi et al, 2011;Serdar et al 2012). Surprisingly, the content of Pb was at the similar level in hair of non-smokers and smokers.…”

DETERMINATION of the TRACE ELEMENT LEVELS in HAIR of SMOKERS and NON-SMOKERS by ICP-MS

“…Copper is an important element nutritionally and in terms of toxicity (23). The copper is the basic component of hair, skin flexible parts, bone and some internal organs as well as being important in terms of bodily functions.…”