Atomic Absorption Spectrometry of Nickel, Copper, Zinc, and Lead in Sweat Collected from Healthy Subjects during Sauna Bathing

Abstract

Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in sweat samples obtained by the arm-bag technique from 48 healthy adult subjects (33 ♂, 15 ♀ ) during sauna bathing (15 min at 93 °C, dry heat). The men sweated more profusely than the women (volume, in milliliters, of sweat collected: mean, SD, and range: 23 ± 12 (3-55) and 7 ± 3 (2-13), respectively. The concentrations, in µg/liter, (mean, SD, and range) of trace metals in sweat of men and women, respectively, were: nickel, 52 ± 36 (7-180) and 131 ± 65 (39-270); copper, 550 ± 350 (30-1440) and 1480 ± 610 (590-2280); zinc, 500 ± 480 (130-1460) and 1250 ± 770 (530-2620); and lead, 51 ± 42 (8-184) and 118 ± 72 (49-283). In sweat samples from 11 women on oral contraceptives, concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb did not differ significantly from the values in the 15 control women. Sweating is a demonstrably significant route for excretion of trace metals, and sweating may play a role in trace-metal homeostasis. Essential trace metals could conceivably be depleted during prolonged exposure to heat; conversely, sauna bathing might provide a therapeutic method to increase elimination of toxic trace metals.

Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health

“…First, it is important to reiterate that many of the studies reporting substantial trace mineral and vitamin losses in sweat have used methods (e.g. arm bag or other regional techniques, scraping methods, minimal cleaning, inclusion of initial sweat at start of exercise) [226,[280][281][282][283][284] [134] recognized that a primary source of Ca and Fe found in sweat is associated with desquamated cell debris, which is characteristic of the arm bag technique. Regional measures of sweat trace minerals are also higher and more variable (e.g.…”

“…Interestingly, the concentrations in sweat were often higher than that of blood and/or urine, and in some cases, chemicals were detected in sweat but absent in blood and urine. Such reports [280,314,318] have led some to hypothesize that these chemicals are perhaps preferentially excreted in sweat to reduce the body burden. However there are several important methodological limitations to consider when measuring environmental toxicants in sweat.…”

GeSe nanosheets modified surface plasmon resonance sensors for enhancing sensitivity

“…According to International Medical Standards, the lead ion content in normal human blood should be less than 100 μg/l. The detection methods in tracing lead ions below this standard value usually include atomic absorption spectroscopy [22][23][24], inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy [25,26], electrochemical impedance spectroscopy [27], and polarography [28]. However, due to the limitations of high cost, complicated sample preparation, and long detection time, we intended to detect lead ions with SPR sensor based on GeSe and chitosan mixture nanomaterial, in which chitosan is an abundant organic polymer with strong absorption capacity for heavy metals.…”

Tattoo‐Based Wearable Electrochemical Devices: A Review

“…Sweat has also been an outstanding milieu for monitoring heavy metals present in the human body. Such monitoring is crucial for studying bioaccumulation of toxic trace metals entering an individual’s body through the food chain or the respiratory path 44.…”