Contamination of Heavy Metals in Human Fingernails due to Occupational Exposure in Agra, India

• Published in: Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals Vol. 73; no. 9; pp. 2239 - 2245
• Main Authors: Sharma, Shashank, Dhingra, Priyanka, Sisodia, Narendra S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01.09.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atomic absorption analysis; Biomarkers; Cadmium; Chemistry and Materials Science; Corrosion and Coatings; Dissimilar metals; Exposure; Heavy metals; Lead; Materials Science; Metal concentrations; Metallic Materials; Metals; Nickel; Occupational exposure; Occupational health; Original Article; Public awareness; Roadsides; Spectral analysis; Statistical methods; Tribology; Variance analysis; Zinc; Biomarker; Occupational exposure; Atomic absorption spectrophotometer; Heavy metals
• ISSN: 0972-2815; 0975-1645
• DOI: 10.1007/s12666-020-02029-0

Purpose In this study, the statistical method was used to determine the significant difference in various metal's (Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni) concentrations in human fingernails from different sites. Methods The metals concentrations in human fingernails, used as a biomarker, were measured to estimate their exposure. Samples from fingernails were collected from different subjects concerning sex, age, occupationally exposed to heavy metals such as subjects from industrial, roadside, commercial, and residential sites of Agra district. Sample collection and preparations were carried out using standard procedures and were analyzed for Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Ni by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS, PerkinElmer ANALYST 100). Results One-way ANOVA tests were done to find out the significant difference of mean values of heavy metals among different sites as well as pairwise comparison of dissimilar metals among different sites. The significant difference ( p  < 0.05) in concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Ni of different sites was found with decreasing concentration pattern for industrial > roadside > commercial > residential sites. Further, metal concentrations in human fingernails of workers/residents of the Agra district have also been compared with other worldwide studies. Conclusion Metallic discharges from various industries in Agra district contribute the largest portion of metals which is hazardous for health as well environment. The presence of these metals in different samples is an indication of the presence of these metals in the environment. Accordingly, there is an instantaneous need for public awareness about the hazards of an occupation.