Relationship between concentrations of heavy metals in children’s scalp hair and the environment. A case study from Kifissos River in Attica, Greece.

Abstract

Key Points:• The heavy metal concentrations in hair reflect both the exposure and the absorbed dose. This characteristic, if interpreted properly, is useful in the assessment of exposure in the domestic and occupational environments.• The chemical composition of PM at the Attica basin has a seasonal and a spatial variation and a great percentage of metals fall through the rain at the place of their production. In rain samples, metals like As, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb were found, having common sources such as vehicle emissions/oil combustion, re-suspended road dust and industrial activity.• Geographical analysis with G.I.S. and in-situ research in the study area confirms the plethora of industrial activities in the municipality of Kifisia, in contrast with the municipality of Kryoneri.• All trace metals concentrations were observed in children's hair, river water and air in the areas of Kifisia and Kryoneri in Athens, Greece. Lowest heavy metals concentrations in children's hair and river water were observed in the municipality of Kryoneri, in contrast with Kifisia, which suggest that the river is contaminated locally by anthropogenic activities near and along the river banks. These results may confirm the fact that people living in the area of Kifisia (particularly its northern part near the banks of the Kifissos River) are exposed to major environmental pollution, due mainly to the human activities (traffic exhaust and industrial emissions). AbstractIn recent years children's head hair is a biomarker frequently used for monitoring environmental exposure to heavy metals. Blood, plasma, urine and other tissues analysis were the most popular approaches to evaluate the concentrations of trace elements in human body. However, hair sample is easily collected, stored and readily analyzed. As (arsenic), Cd (cadmium), Hg (mercury), Ni (nickel) and Pb (lead) poses a potential threat to humans. The aim of the study is to link the concentrations of heavy metals in children's scalp hair with the environmental pollution by presenting an overview of the measurements that have been done in 12-year-old children's scalp hair living at the municipalities of Kifisia and Kryoneri, in relation with trace metals concentrations in the river water, air and tree leaves at the north zone of Kifissos River in Athens, Greece.