Trace Metal Profiles of Human Hair and Nail Samples Collected from Urban and Rural Areas of Zonguldak, Turkey

Hair and nail samples were collected during a period of October to December 2012 from 63 healthy humans whohave been living in Zonguldak for at least ten consecutive years. The humans aged over 30 years and having noserious health problems were participated in the study. The methodology involved the collection, ultrasoniccleaning and microwave digestion of samples. The measurements of trace metals (As, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd, Pb, Cr, Feand Ni) in samples were performed with ICP-MS. The predominant metals determined in the both hair and nailsamples were the essential metals with the decreasing concentrations in the order of Zn>Fe>Cu. Other metalsdetermined in the hair samples followed the concentration order of Pb>Se>Ni>Cr>As>Cd, whereas in the nailsamples, the order was Se>Ni>Cr>Pb>As>Cd. Subgroups were formed according to location and gender. Se andFe concentrations in hair samples obtained from urban residents were significantly higher. With regard to nailsamples, the rural residents exhibited more elevated Fe levels significantly. Gender had a significant influence onthe concentration of Zn and Cu in hair samples with females presenting higher values. However, the effect ofgender on the trace metal concentrations in nail samples was negligible. The metal concentrations obtained forZonguldak were within or below the values reported worldwide.