Abstract

Amira S. Ahmed*, Rehab M. Elgharabawy, Hatem A. Ahmed and Samia S. Barghash

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess hair and nails as bioindicators of heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium and lead) contamination by hair dye exposure, estimate levels of heavy metals in different hair dyes and then monitor their possible harmful effects. Additionally, the present work extends to study the correlations between the heavy metals levels in the hair and nails samples. Finally, the present results were compared to other studies. Design and methods: Human hair and nail samples of one hundred participants were collected. They were classified into two groups; group (I) included ten participants served as control group and group (II) included ninety participants used different hair dyes and the amount of heavy metals, i.e. arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) was meaured by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS). Result: The concentrations of the heavy metals in the hair samples ranged from (0.53 to 3.38?g/g) for arsenic, (0.14 to1.57 ?g/g) for cadmium and (1.85 to 279.9 ?g/g) for lead. In nail samples, heavy metals ranged from (2.60 to10.04 ?g/g) for arsenic, (0.18 to 0.89 ?g/g) for cadmium and (2.69 to 17.77 ?g/g) for lead. The measured heavy metals (As, Cd and Pb) levels in hair and nail were significantly increased in participants used Henna- black , Rani-black, Bigen, Vary hair dye, Garnier and Lakme hair dye groups compared to control group. Positive correlations were monitored between hair and nails samples content of As, Cd and Pb in participants used hair dyes group. Conclusion: Lead is one of the highest heavy metals used in hair dye products and it accumulates in hair and nails by continuous usage and produces serious damage effects.