Hair analysis as an indicator of exposure to uranium

Abstract

Medical examinations performed on four monks of a monastery in the northern Greece revealed heavy metal contamination. Hair analysis, performed by a toxicological laboratory abroad, indicated, among other, the presence of uranium. The uranium concentrations determined in a laboratory of "Elemental Hair Analysis' indicated a uranium level that was about five times the maximum value of the reference range, which has been adopted by the measuring laboratory. After these diagnostic findings, on request of 10 monks, uranium determination in hair and urine samples was performed by means of alpha spectrometry in GAEC's laboratory. The measured uranium concentrations in hair varied from 0.15 to 2.10 mBq g(-1), which correspond to 12.1 and 170 ng g(-1), respectively. The uranium concentrations in urine were between 41 and 174 ng d(-1). For comparison purposes, urine and non-dyed hair samples from the staff of the laboratory were analysed. Because one of the major sources of uranium intake is through drinking water, water samples were also analysed. The mean value of the uranium concentration in the two drinking water samples collected from the residence area was found to be 2.35 μg l(-1).

Uranium and other contaminants in hair from the parents of children with congenital anomalies in Fallujah, Iraq

“…With advances in technology in the last 10 years, analysis of hair contamination has become a valuable tool in assessing environmental exposures, particularly for Uranium [39-43]. We determined Uranium and other elements the hair of mothers and fathers of children who had been born with major congenital anomalies.…”

INAA to Determine Trace Element Concentrations in the Hair of Street Children of Isfahan City, Iran

“…Vanadium is commonly soils and eventually leads to increasing concentrations in humans, animals and soil particles. The concentrations of uranium in both street children and control groups are compared with those in the literatures [35,36]. The results show the concern of uranium for individual child is less than that maximum reported (180.0 ng/g and 170.0 ng/g respectively).…”

Уран Өндірісі Маңында Тұратын Халықтың Биологиялық Сынамаларындағы Уранның Мөлшерін Бағалау

“…Адамның шашы мен тырнақтарындағы элементтердің мөлшері, жергілікті халыққа табиғи радионуклидтер мен басқа металдардың әсер етуінің баламалы көрсеткіші болып табылады. Олардың құрамы мен сыртқы түріндегі өзгерістері денеде жинақталған элементтердің жетіспеушілігінің немесе көп мөлшерде болуын көрсетеді [42]. Олар қанмен, термен, гормондармен және ферменттермен, сондай-ақ генетикалық факторлармен бақыланады және белгілі бір дәрежеде организмде болатын физиологиялық процестердің көрсеткіші болып табылады [43].…”