Lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, iron, and calcium in human hair as a function of gender, age, smoking, and hair dyeing

Hair samples were collected randomly from 110 subjects (55 male and 55 female) ranging in age from (<15-60) years. Each subject was asked to complete a personal questionnaire describing his/her sex, age, general health, smoking, use of hair dyes, occupational area, and living habits. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Ca in human hair samples were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results indicated that concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the hair of smokers were higher than those in the hair of non-smokers, whereas, Fe and Ca concentrations in hair of smokers were lower than those in hair of nonsmokers. Moreover, the concentrations of these elements are higher in dyed hair compared with undyed hair.