Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of environmental and occupational exposure to heavy metals in Taranto and other provinces of Southern Italy by means of scalp hair analysis

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The monitoring of heavy metals in industrialized areas to study their association with different occupational and environmental factors is carried out in different ways. In this study, scalp hair analysis was used for the assessment of exposure to these metals in the industrial city of Taranto, characterized by a severe environmental pollution. The highest median values were observed for aluminum, barium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and uranium. Moreover, in the industrial area of Taranto, high levels of barium, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, and silver were observed in comparison with other Apulia areas. The risk odds ratios (ORs) for observing values above the 50th percentile were elevated for mercury and fish consumption, uranium and milk consumption, lead and female sex, and aluminum and mineral water consumption. No significant increased risk was observed for occupational activities. In a dendrogram of a cluster analysis, three clusters were observed for the different areas of Taranto (Borgo, San Vito, and Statte). A scree plot and score variables plot underline the presence of two principal components: the first regarding antimony, lead, tin, aluminum and silver; the second regarding mercury and uranium. The observed clusters (Borgo, San Vito, and Statte) showed that lead, antimony, tin, aluminum, and silver were the main component. The highest values above the 50th percentile of these minerals, especially lead, were observed in the Borgo area. The observed metal concentration in the Borgo area is compatible with the presence in Taranto of a military dockyard and a reported increase of lung cancer risk among residents of that area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe, T., Ohtsuka, R., Hongo, T., Ohtsuka, R., Hongo, T., Suzuki, T., Tohyama, C., Nakano, A., Akagi, H., & Akimichi, T. (1995). High hair and urinary mercury levels of fish eaters in the not polluted environment of Papua New Guinea. Archives of Environmental Health, 50, 367–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afridi, H. I., Kazi, T. G., Jamali, M. K., Kazi, G. H., Arain, M. B., Jalbani, N., Shar, G. Q., & Sarfaraz, R. A. (2006). Evaluation of toxic metals in biological samples (scalp hair, blood and urine) of steel mill workers by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 22(9), 381–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afridi, H. I., Kazi, T. G., Kazi, N. G., Jamali, M. K., Arain, M. B., Sirajuddin, Kandhro, G. A., Shah, A. Q., & Baig, J. A. (2009). Evaluation of arsenic, cobalt, copper and manganese in biological samples of steel mill workers by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 25(1), 59–69.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afridi, H., Kazi, T. G., Kazi, A. G., Shah, F., et al. (2011). Levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc in biological samples of paralysed steel mill workers with related to controls. Biological Trace Element Research, 144, 164–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afridi, H. I., Kazi, T. G., Brabazon, D., Naher, S., & Talpur, F. N. (2013). Comparative metal distribution in scalp hair of Pakistani and Irish referents and diabetes mellitus patients. Clinica Chimica Acta, 415, 207–214.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afridi, H. I., Kaz, T. G., Talpur, F. N., Arain, S., Arain, S. S., Kazi, N., & Panhwar, A. H. (2014). Distribution of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel levels in biological samples of Pakistani hypertensive patients and control subjects. Clinical Laboratory, 60(8), 1309–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afridi, H. I., Talpur, F. N., Kazi, T. G., Kazi, N., Arain, S. S., & Shah, F. (2015). Estimation of calcium, magnesium, cadmium, and lead in biological samples from paralyzed quality control and production steel mill workers. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187(6), 350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altimonti, A., Bocca, B., Mattei, D., & Pino, A., (2010). Biomonitoraggio della popolazione italiana per l’esposizione a metalli: valori di riferimento 1990–2009.2010, iii,58p, Rapporti ISTISAN 10/22, http://www.iss.it/binary/publ/cont/10ventidueWEB.pdf.

  • Altshul, L., Covaci, A., & Hauser, R. (2004). The relationship between levels of PCBs and pesticides in human hair and blood: preliminary results. Environmental Health Prospective, 112(11), 1193–1199.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amaral, A. F. S., Arruda, M., Cabral, S., & Rodrigues, A. S. (2008). Essential and non-essential trace metals in scalp hair of men chronically exposed to volcanogenic metals in the Azores, Portugal. Environment International, 34, 1104–1108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, H. J. (2011). Advantages of the use of deciduous teeth, hair, and blood analysis for lead and cadmium bio-monitoring in children. A study of 6-year-old children from Krakow (Poland). Biological Trace Element Research, 143, 637–658.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bertazzo, A., Costa, C., Biasiolo, M., Allegri, G., Cirrincione, G., & Presti, G. (1996). Determination of copper and zinc levels in human hair: influence of sex, age, and hair pigmentation. Biological Trace Element Research, 52(1), 37–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bocca, B., Alimonti, A., Senofonte, O., Pino, A., Violante, N., Petrucci, F., Sancesarino, G., & Forte, G. (2006). Metal changes in CSF and peripheral compartments of parkinsonian patients. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 248(1–2), 23–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chai, Z., Feng, W., Qian, Q., & Guan, M. (1998). Correlation of mercury with selenium in human hair at a typical mercury-polluted area in China. Biological Trace Element Research, 63(2), 95–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chłopicka, J., Zagrodzki, P., Zachwieja, Z., Krośniak, M., & Fołta, M. (1995). Use of pattern recognition methods in the interpretation of heavy metal (lead and cadmium) in children’s scalp hair. Analyst, 120(3), 943–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury, R., Sarnat, S. E., Darrow, L., & McClennan, W. (2014). Mortality among participants in a lead surveillance program. Environmental Research, 132, 100–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cihan, Y. B., & Yıldırım, S. O. (2011). A discriminant analysis of trace elements in scalp hair of healthy controls and stage-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Biological Trace Element Research, 144, 272–294.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Comba, P., Pirastu, R., Conti, S., De Santis, M., Iavarone, I., Marsili, G., Mincuzzi, A., Minelli, G., Manno, V., Minerba, S., Musmeci, L., Rashid, I., Soggiu, E., & Zona, A. (2012). Ambiente e salute a Taranto: studi epidemiologici e indicazioni di sanità pubblica. Epidemiologia & Prevenzione, 36(6), 305–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Sousa Viana, G. F., De Carvalho, C. F., Nunes, L. S., et al. (2014). Noninvasive biomarkers of manganese exposure and neuropsychological effects in environmentally exposed adults in Brazil. Toxicology Letters, 231, 169–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dongarrà, G., Varrica, D., Tamburo, E., & D’Andrea, D. (2012). Trace elements in scalp hair of children living in differing environmental contexts in Sicily (Italy). Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 34, 160–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esteban, M., & Castano, A. (2009). Non-invasive matrices in human biomonitoring: a review. Environment International, 35, 438–449.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evrenoglou, L., Partsinevelou, S. A., Stamatis, P., Lazaris, et al. (2013). Children exposure to trace levels of heavy metals at the north zone of Kifissos River. Science of the Total Environment, 443, 650–661.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Folin, M., Contiero, E., & Vaselli, G. M. (1991). Trace element determination in humans. The use of blood and hair. Biological Trace Element Research, 31(2), 147–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freire, C., Ramos, R., Lopez-Espinosa, M. J., Diez, S., Vioque, J., Ballester, F., & Fernandez, M. F. (2010). Hair mercury levels, fish consumption, and cognitive development in preschool children from Granada, Spain. Environmental Research, 110, 96–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galise, I., Bruni, A., Bisceglia, L., Vigotti, M.A., Mitis, F., Minerba, S., & Assennato, G. (2008). Analisi geografica a livello subcomunale del rischio di incidenza del tumore al polmone a Taranto 1999–2001. Studio IESIT, Atti 33° congresso annuale Associazione Italiana di Epidemiologia.

  • Gianicolo, E. A. L., Mangia, C., Cervino, M., Bruni, A., Andreassi, M. G., & Latini, G. (2014). Congenital anomalies among live births in a high environmental risk area. A case-control study in Brindisi (southern Italy). Environmental Research, 128, 9–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giri, S., Singh, G., Jha, V. N., & Tripathi, R. M. (2011). Risk assessment due to ingestion of natural radionuclides and heavy metals in the milk samples: a case study from a proposed uranium mining area, Jharkhand. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 175, 157–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer, D.I., Finklea, J.F., Hendricks, R.H., Shy, C.M., & Horton, RJ. (1971). Hair trace metal levels and environmental exposure. American Journal of Epidemiology:84–92.

  • Harkins, D. K., & Susten, A. S. (2003). Hair analysis: exploring the state of the science. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111, 576–578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, W. W., Yurachek, J. P., & Benson, C. A. (1969). The determination of trace elements in human hair by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Clinica Chimica Acta, 23, 83–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan, M. Y., Kosanovic, M., Fahim, M. A., Adem, A., & Petroianu, G. (2004). Trace metal profiles in hair samples from children in urban and rural regions of the United Arab Emirates. Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 46(3), 119–21.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinners, T. A., Terrill, W. J., Kent, J. L., & Colucci, A. V. (1974). Hair-metal binding. Environmental Health Perspectives, 8, 191–199.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsiao, H. W., Ullric, S. M., & Tanton, T. W. (2010). Burdens of mercury in residents of Temirtau, Kazakhstan. II: verification of methodologies for estimating human exposure to high levels of Hg pollution in the environment. Science of Total Environment, 408, 4033–4044.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. (2006). Inorganic and organic lead compounds, 87.

  • Iavarone, I., De Felip, E., Ingelido, A. M., Iacovella, N., Abballe, A., Valentini, S., Marra, V., Violante, N., D’Ilio, S., Senoforte, O., Petrucci, F., Majorani, C., Altimonti, A., & Conversano, M. (2012). Studio esplorativo di biomonitoraggio tra gli allevatori delle masserie della Provincia di Taranto. Epidemiologia & Prevenzione, 36(6), 321–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempton, I. M., Skinner, W., & Kirkbride, K. P. (2006). Advanced analysis of metal distributions in human hair. Environmental Science & Technology, 40, 3423–3428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khuder, A., Bakir, M. A., Hasan, R., & Mohammad, A. (2008). Determination of nickel, copper, zinc and lead in human scalp hair in Syrian occupationally exposed workers by total reflection X-ray fluorescence. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 143, 67–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Komatsu, F., Kagawa, Y., Kawabata, T., Kaneko, Y., Chimedregzen, U., Purvee, B., & Otgon, J. (2011). A high accumulation of hair minerals in Mongolian people: 2nd report influence of manganese, iron, lead, cadmium and aluminum to oxidative stress. Parkinsonism and Arthritis Current Aging Science, 4, 42–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landinetti, C., & Valenzano, B., (2011), Pressioni ambientali, rischi naturali, rischi tecnologici. Industria e rischi antropici, In: Relazione sullo Stato dell’Ambiente 2011. ARPA Puglia. http://www.arpa.puglia.it/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=58cadf3c-5b0d-4a69-86553386c953504f&groupId=13879.

  • Lee, W. C., & Lee, M. J. (1999). Mercury concentrations in scalp hair as an environmental contamination index from foods in Korea. Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 41(6), 373–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y. F., Chen, C., Li, B., Wang, J., Gao, Y., Zhao, Y., & Chai, Z. (2008). Scalp hair as a biomarker in environmental and occupational mercury exposed populations: suitable or not? Environmental Research, 107, 39–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, P., Feng, X., Qiu, G., & Wan, Q. (2011). Hair can be a good biomarker of occupational exposure to mercury vapor: simulated experiments and field data analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 409, 4484–4488.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Licata, P., Trombetta, D., Cristani, M., Giofre, F., Martino, D., Calò, M., & Naccari, F. (2004). Levels of “toxic” and “essential” metals in samples of bovine milk from various dairy farms in Calabria, Italy. Environment International, 30(1), 1–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mangia, C., Martano, P., Miglietta, M. M., Morabito, A., & Tanzarella, A. (2004). Modelling local winds over the salento peninsula. Metereorological Application, 11, 231–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mataloni, F., Strafoggia, M., Alessandrini, E., Triassi, M., Biggeri, A., & Forastiere, F. (2012). Studio di coorte sulla mortalità e morbosità nell’area di Taranto. Epidemiologia & Prevenzione, 36(5), 237–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, Z. (1998). Age- and sex-related differences in zinc and lead levels in human hair. Biological Trace Element Research, 61(1), 79–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michalak, I., Mikulewic, M., Chojnacka, K., & Wołowiec, P. (2012). Exposure to nickel by hair mineral analysis. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 34, 727–734.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michalak, I., Wołowiec, P., & Chojnacka, K. (2014). Determination of exposure to lead of subjects from south-western Poland by human hair analysis. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 186, 2259–2267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miedico, O., Iammarino, M., Pompa, C., Tarallo, M., & Chiaravalle, A. E. (2015). Assessment of lead, cadmium and mercury in seafood marketed in Puglia and Basilicata (Italy) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Food Additives & Contaminants Part B-Surveillance, 8(2), 85–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morton, J., Carolan, V. A., & Gardin, P. H. E. (2002). Removal of exogenously bound elements from human hair by various washing procedures and determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 455, 23–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Özden, T. A., Gökçay, G., Ertem, H. V., Süoğlu, O. D., Kılıç, A., Sökücü, S., & Saner, G. (2007). Elevated hair levels of cadmium and lead in school children exposed to smoking and in highways near schools. Clinical Biochemistry, 40, 52–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira, R., Ribeiro, R., & Goncalves, F. (2004). Scalp analysis as a tool in assessing human exposure to heavy metals (S. Domingo Mine. Portugal). Science of the Total Environment, 372, 81–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodushkin, I., & Alexsson, M. D. (2000). Application of double focusing sector field ICP-MS for multielemental characterization of human hairs and nails. Part II. A study of the inhabitants of northern Sweden. Science of the Total Environment, 262, 21–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, J., & Das Chaudhuri, A. B. (2001). Brief communication: choice of washing method of hair samples for trace element analysis in environmental studies. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 115(3), 289–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serinelli, M., Gianicolo, E. A. L., Cervino, M., Mangia, C., Portaluri, M., & Vigotti, M. A. (2010). Acute effects of air pollution in Brindisi (Italy): a case-crossover analysis. Epidemiologia & Prevenzione, 34(3), 100–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, M. H., Shaheen, N., Khalique, A., Alrabti, A. A. A., & Jaffar, M. (2006). Comparative metal distribution in hair of Pakistani and Libyan population and source identification by multivariate analysis. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 114, 505–519.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah, F., Kazi, T. G., Afridi, A. I., Khan, S., Kolachi, N. F., Arain, M. B., & Baig, J. A. (2011). The influence of environmental exposure on lead concentrations in scalp hair of children in Pakistan. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 74, 727–732.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soleo, L., Lovreglio, P., Panuzzo, L., D’Errico, M. N., Basso, A., Gilberti, M. E., Drago, I., Tomasi, C., & Apostoli, P. (2012). Health risk assessment of exposure to metals in the workers of the steel foundry and in the general population of Taranto (Italy). Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia, 34(4), 381–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srogi, K. (2006). Hair analysis for monitoring environmental pollution and the resulting human exposure to trace metals: an overview. Environment Risques & Santé, 5(5), 391–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srogi, K. (2007). Mercury content of hair in different populations relative to fish consumption. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 189, 107–30.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sukumar, A., & Subramanian, R. (2003). Elements in the hair of non-mining workers of a lignite open mine in Neyveli. Industrial Health, 41, 63–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taneja, S. K., Mahajan, M., Gupta, S., & Singh, K. P. (1998). Assessment of copper and zinc status in hair and urine of young women descendants of NIDDM parents. Biological Trace Element Research, 62(3), 255–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Varrica, D., Tamburo, E., Dongarrà, G., & Sposito, F. (2014a). Trace elements in scalp hair of children chronically exposed to volcanic activity (Mt. Etna, Italy). Science of the Total Environment, 470–471, 117–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varrica, D., Tamburo, E., Milia, N., Vallascas, E., Cortimiglia, V., De Giudici, G., Dongarrà, G., Sanna, E., Monna, F., & Losno, R. (2014b). Metals and metalloids in hair samples of children living near the abandoned mine sites of Sulcis-Inglesiente (Sardinia, Italy). Environmental Research, 134, 366–374.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, T., Fu, J., Wang, Y., Liao, C., Tao, Y., & Jiang, G. (2009). Use of scalp hair as indicator of human exposure to heavy metals in an electronic waste recycling area. Environmental Pollution, 157, 2445–2451.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W., Wu, F., Zheng, J., & Wong, M. H. (2013). Risk assessments of PAHs and Hg exposure via settled house dust and street dust, linking with their correlations in human hair. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 263, 627–637.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfsperger, M., Hauser, G., Gossler, W., & Schlagenhaufen, C. (1994). Heavy metals in human hair samples from Austria and Italy: influence of sex and smoking habits. Science of the Total Environment, 156(3), 235–42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, G. F., Wang, Z. J., Dong, M. H., Rao, K. F., Luo, J. P., Wang, D. H., Zha, J. M., Huang, S. B., Xu, Y. P., & Ma, M. (2008). PBBs, PBDEs, and PCBs levels in hair of residents around e-waste disassembly sites in Zhejiang Province, China, and their potential sources. Science of the Total Environment, 397, 46–57.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zunic, Z. S., Tokonami, S., Mishra, S., Arae, H., Kritsananuwat, R., & Sahoo, S. K. (2012). Distribution of uranium and some selected trace metals in human scalp hair from Balkans. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 152(1–3), 220–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM). Section “B. Ramazzini”. Regional University Hospital “Policlinico- Giovanni XXIII” of Bari. Hospital Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, 70125, Bari, Italy

    Elena Viola Buononato, Daniela De Luca, Innocenzo Cataldo Galeandro, Maria Luisa Congedo, Domenica Cavone, Graziana Intranuovo, Chiara Monica Guastadisegno, Vincenzo Corrado & Giovanni Maria Ferri

Authors
  1. Elena Viola Buononato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniela De Luca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Innocenzo Cataldo Galeandro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maria Luisa Congedo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Domenica Cavone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Graziana Intranuovo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Chiara Monica Guastadisegno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Vincenzo Corrado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Giovanni Maria Ferri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Maria Ferri.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Buononato, E.V., De Luca, D., Galeandro, I.C. et al. Assessment of environmental and occupational exposure to heavy metals in Taranto and other provinces of Southern Italy by means of scalp hair analysis. Environ Monit Assess 188, 337 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5311-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5311-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation