Haruetai Kasiwattanawut. Study of trace elements in human hair from air pollution by instrument neutron activation analysis. Master's Degree(Radiological Science). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Study of trace elements in human hair from air pollution by instrument neutron activation analysis
Abstract:
Environmental pollution has been remarkably concerned as a major problem in
Thailand. In Bangkok, sources of air pollution are from pollutants emitted from
vehicles in the congested traffic areas. In this study, elemental concentrations in
human scalp hair samples from female students living in two Bangkok areas with
different degrees of air pollution were determined by Instrument neutron activation
analysis (INAA).
Hair samples were collected from 30 female students, 13 to 18 years old, living in
Talingchan and Bangkoknoi-Bangplad districts. From the report of the National
Pollution Control Department, the first district is less air-polluted than the second one.
After appropriate treatments, the hair samples along with standard reference material
and in-house standard solutions were irradiated under neutron beam at optimum
experiment conditions for determining short and long lived radioisotopes. Qualitative
and quantitative analysis were achieved by HPGe gamma spectrometry system.
Ten elements, Mg, Ca, Cl, Al, I, Mn, Na, Br, Hg and Zn were found, six of them
are trace elements (Al, I, Br, Mn, Hg and Zn). The contents of Ca, Cl, I, Mn, Na, Br
and Zn in both groups of subjects are similar and found to be within the average values
reported by several published data. Statistical analysis showed significance higher Al
and Hg concentrations in Talingchan group at p < 0.05. However, the high
concentrations of Al and Hg in the lower air-polluted area (Talingchan) cannot be
explained by the degree of air pollution but could probably attributed from other
factors relating to the state of health, disease and lifestyle.
Accuracy and precision of method of 33% and 8.8% are well accepted for trace
element analysis by INAA technique. Variations in the concentrations presented
indicate dependence on other environment factors. On-going research with increasing
numbers of samples and sampling sites should be designed to obtained more database
of elemental composition of human hair. To ensure comparable data, standardization
of hair sample collection and treatments are also needed to reduce inconsistencies due
to different methodologies.