Heavy Metals Analysis in Human Body (Toenail, Fingernail and Hair Samples) and Drinking Waters of Santa Fe Region, Argentina

Abstract

This study provides an insight into a province of Santa Fe region of a developing country, namely San Cristobal and Huanqueros, Argentina and a possible link between arsenic, copper and iron concentration in toenail, fingernail and hair in the population. A multivariate statistical tool, known as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to explain the behaviour of the elements in toenails, fingernails, drinking waters and hair using multi- base 2013 excel add- ins. Correlation test, error bars, and a 2-factor ANOVA test were employed. Results from one hundred and twenty- nine (n=129) samples of tap well water (n=23), rainwater (n=20), bottled water (n=6) and treated well water (n=80) and each of toenail, fingernail and hair (n=129) samples from the subjects were determined and the results compared with the previous works. Mean, standard deviation, covariance and maximum and minimum for each variable were reported. The hypothesis is to understand if there is a correlation between fingernail and toenail metals levels and make a comparison with previous researches. Results show that a positive correlation exists between fingernail and toenail metals concentrations. Also, the study reveals higher concentrations of arsenic, copper and iron in the samples tissues compared with the values available in the previous works. The elevated levels of these metals may be attributed to the drinking water sources. Since this study highlighted elevated levels of these metals, consumptions of contaminated drinking water should be constantly monitored. Finally, the application of multivariate statistical techniques can provide powerful information on heavy metals bioaccumulation analysis in human and environment.

Hearing loss in humans drinking tube well water with high levels of iron in arsenic–polluted area

“…In previous studies, levels of metal elements in blood samples 25 and urine samples 26 were shown to reflect the status of acute exposure to the metal elements, while nail and hair samples were used to evaluate the status of chronic exposure to the metal elements 27,28 . In our previous study, multivariate analysis showed that significant associations of arsenic levels in toenails with heating loss were at 4, 8 and 12 kHz, while a significant association of arsenic levels in hair with hearing loss was limited to 12 kHz 19 .…”

Public Water Supply and Sanitation Authorities for Strategic Sustainable Domestic Water Management. A Case of Iringa Region In Tanzania

“…The Ministry of Water [67] demonstrated the significance of assessing heavy metals due to their increasing impacts on public health [73][74][75]. Similar to other chemical pollutants, heavy metals are bioaccumulated in body tissues and will present their effect at chronic levels [76]. Table 1 shows the status of heavy metals in different sources based on IRUWASA-tested water sources.…”

Rhinoceros horn mineral and metal concentrations vary by sample location, depth, and color

“…Rhino horn is composed of keratin much like fingernails, toenails, and hair. Numerous scientific papers have already identified minerals and metals (henceforth referred to simply as minerals) that can be measured in the latter three, with most concluding that environmental concentrations of the minerals are positively correlated with those found in these keratin sources [16][17][18][19][20] . Of particular relevance, hair and/or nail iron concentrations are positively associated with increased body iron load caused by drinking iron-contaminated water 21 or iron-associated medical conditions 22 .…”