Trace Metal Content of Hair

Abstract

Cadmium and lead content of hair of males and females was found to he age-dependent. Regression analysis showed two male groups with respect to cadmium, namely those under and those over 12 years of age, while the data revealed only one male group with respect to lead. Analysis of the data also indicated that hair cadmium distribution for females delineated one group below, and one above, 50 years. Females showed hair lead which fell into two groups, one below and the other above 30 years of age. Cadmium and lead in the hair of both sexes showed a high degree of association of the metals (r= 0.4052 (P = .001) for males and r = 0.2563 (P = .02) for females). The data indicate that comparisons of metallic content of hair in humans must be limited to a narrow age range and to one sex.