The analysis of trace elements in hair has been widely used for several decades. The non-invasiveness of the method, ease of sample collection, and storage as well as advances in modern analytical techniques are great advantages of hair for determining the levels of various major, trace and toxic elements in animals and humans. To evaluate scalp hair as a possible bio-indicator of trace element, the concentrations of some trace micronutrients (Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn) and pollutants (As and Pb) in scalp hair of 124 normal subjects (71 males and 53 females, average age 29 years) and 110 chronic arsenism patients (62 males and 48 females, average age 27 years) were examined by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry in this study. The results showed the patient group has lower contents of trace micronutrients than that of normal group and also differences found between the two sex groups. Micronutrients concentrations in females were higher than those in males. Concentrations of As in hair of patients and normal groups, 13.2 mg/kg and <3.0 mg/kg respectively, were significantly different while male patients contain higher As concentration (14.7 mg/kg) than female (11.7 mg/kg). The frequency distributions of the elements with respect to age, sex, diseased state and locality are presented here and the results are compared with the data reported in the literature.

Keywords: Trace elements, hair, chronic arsenism, human.