JC Akan, ZM Chellube, FI Abdulrahman and M Waziri
Keywords: Hair, nail, metals, occupational exposed, smoking habit.
Abstract: Samples of hair and nail were collected from different subjects with respect to sex, age, occupationally exposed to heavy metals such as subjects working in a lead battery workshop in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. Also hair and nail samples were collected from smoker and non-smoker subjects for heavy metals determination. Sample collection and preparations were carried out using standard procedures. The concentrations of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Co), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb) were measured using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Unicam 969). From the results of this study, high concentrations of all the metals under study were observed to accumulate in the subjects. It was also observed that of all the metals studied, Zn showed the highest concentrations while Cu showed the least levels. Significantly high levels of heavy metals were observed in smokers, compared to a non-smoker (p<0.05). The levels of all the metals studied were significantly higher in the toenails compared to fingernail samples (p<0.05). The levels of all the metals studied were statistically higher in male subjects compared to female subjects (p<0.05). The concentrations of heavy metals in nail samples were significantly higher than hair samples. The present of these metals in the analyst samples is an indication of the presence of these metals in their work environment. Accordingly there is an instantaneous need for public awareness about the hazards of this occupation and smoking habit in order to enable these volunteers take necessary precautionary measures.
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