Whole blood and hair trace elements and minerals in children living in metal-polluted area near copper smelter in Karabash, Chelyabinsk region, Russia

摘要

Abstract The primary aim of the study is assessment of hair and whole blood trace element and mineral levels in children living in a polluted area near a copper smelter (Karabash) and two control locations (Varna, Tomino) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The obtained data indicates that both blood and hair As, Pb, and Fe levels in children living in Karabash significantly exceeded the control values. Whole blood levels of copper in children living in Varna exceeded that in Tomino ( p ?=?0.155) and Karabash ( p ? p ?=?0.021) and 42?% ( p ? p ? p ? p ?=?0.002) and 23?% ( p ?