Elemental Analysis of Scalp Hair Samples from Workers in the Industrial Area of Omdurman by using Spectroscopic Techniques

Abstract

In this study, scalp hair samples were collected from workers working in workshops and perfume factories in Omdurman area where there is an expectation of exposure to environmental pollution. The hairs content determination was performed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICPE) to assess elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, Sr and Fe) due to the adoption of hair tissue scalp as a biological indicator of toxic elements in the human body. An alternative approach of hair sample treatment was implemented by grinding in liquid nitrogen at temperature of 77oK to form a dry weight samples in fine powder mode. In a comprehensive assessment the results have been compared with the results of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a reference value. Data obtained by using three ways: (XRF), (LIBS) and (ICPE) to make sure the values extracted from this study for contributions to the analysis of pollution factors resulting from work in industrial areas. The percentage of manganese Mn contamination was high in each of the samples (No:11, No:18 and No:C9), as the sample No:11 average concentration 15.499 ppm, the sample No:18 average concentration 13.31 ppm and the sample No: C9 average concentration 12.47 ppm, while the reference value equals 9.6 ppm. The pollution by copper Cu was top on the sample No: 12 with an average value of 56.43 ppm, while the reference value is 17.6 ppm. The zinc Zn component was highest in the sample No:18 with an average value 370.3 ppm, while the reference value equals167 ppm. The pollution by mercury Hg was top on the sample No: 12 with an average value of 39.36 ppm. The largest proportion was enough strontium Sr component of pollution category No:18 with an average 7.364 ppm, while the reference value equals 4.97 ppm. The pollution by iron Fe was top on the sample No: B24 has an average value of 205.14 ppm, while the reference value equals 123ppm.