Abstract
Exposure to environmental contaminants is complicated by factors related to socioeconomic status, diet, and other culturally conditioned risk behaviors. Determination of a trace element profile in toenails can be used as a tool in biomonitoring the exposure history or assessing the deficiency of a particular element in a study population, which can lead to a better understanding of environmental and disease risks. Toenail clippings from 259 Arab Americans (163 adults, 96 children) residing in a highly industrialized area were analyzed for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Tl, and Pb using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Mean concentrations were compared with published values, and the influence of age, gender, and other demographic factors were explored. Elevated levels of Ni in this population warrant further investigation. Significant differences in the mean concentration of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Se exist between toenails of adults and children. Pearson correlation coefficients reveal strong significant associations among Cd, Cr, and Tl (p<0.05), in addition to other elements. These investigations provide insight into exposures and factors influencing exposures in this population while adding to the growing fund of knowledge surrounding use of toenails as a marker of exposure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
K. Savoie and J. Nriagu, Air pollution helath risk assessment of the Arab American community in Dearborn, Michigan, Report to US EPA, Region 5, Air and Radiation Division (1999).
EPA, Toxic Release Inventory, Office of Toxic Substances, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (1996).
H. C. Hopps, The biologic bases for using hair and nail for analyses of trace elements, Sci Total Environ. 7, 71–89 (1976).
M. Garland, J. S. Morris, B. A. Rosner, M. J. Stampfer, V. L. Spate, C. J. Baskett, W. C. Willett, and D. J. Hunter, Toenail trace element levels as biomarkers: Reproducibility over a 6-year period, Cancer Epidem. Biomarkers 2(5), 493–497 (1993).
D. J. Hunter, J. S. Morris, C. G. Chute, et al., Predictors of selenium concentration in human toenail, Am. J. Epidemiol. 132(1), 114–122 (1990).
M. M. Mason, J. S. Morris, and V. L. Spate, Comparison of whole blood, plasma and nails as monitors for the dietary intake of selenium, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 236, 29–34 (1998).
R. A. Goyer and T. W. Clarkson, Toxic effects of metals, in Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 6th ed. C. D. Klaassen, ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 811–867 (2001).
M. Johnson, J. Nriagu, A. Hammad, et al., Asthma prevalence and severity in Arab American communities in the Detroit Area, MI, J. Immigr. Health 7(3), 165–179 (2005).
J. O. Nriagu, G. Lawson, H. K. T. Wong, et al., A protocol for minimizing contamination in the analysis of trace metals in Great Lakes waters, J. Great Lakes Res. 19(1), 175–182 (1993).
M. J. Slotnick, Literature review of trace metals in toenails, unpublished report (2004).
B. Nowak and J. Chmielnicka, Relationship of lead and cadmium to essential elements in hair, teeth, and nails of environmentally exposed people, Ecotox. Environ. Safety, 46, 265–274 (2000).
S. K. Biswas, M. Abdullah, S. Akhter, et al., Trace elements in human fingernails: measurement by proton-induced x-ray emission, J. Radianal. Nucl. Chem., 82(1), 111–124 (1984).
S. B. Goldhaber, Trace element risk assessment: essentiality vs. toxicity, Regul. Toxicol. Pharm., 38, 232–242 (2003).
C. D. Berdanier, Trace minerals, in Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients, CRC, New York, pp. 183–219 (1998).
G. Kazantzis, Thallium in the environment and health effects, Environ. Geochem. Health 22, 275–280 (2000).
B. B. Desai, Handbook of Nutrition and Diet, Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 121–158 (2000).
H. E. Sauberlich, Laboratory Tests for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, 2nd ed., CRC, New York, pp. 83–443 (1999).
K. Peters, B. Gammelgard, and T. Meene, Nickel content of fingernails from hospital cleaners, Contact Dermat. 25, 237–241 (1991).
J. Kristianson, J. M. Christensen, T. Henriksen, et al., Determination of nickel in fingernails and forearm skin (stratum cornum), Anal. Chim. Acta, 403, 265–272 (2000).
S. K. Biswas, M. Abdullah, S. Akhter, et al., Trace elements in human fingernails: measurement by proton-induced x-ray emission, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 82(1), 111–124 (1984).
B. Gammelgaard, K. Peters, and T. Menne, Reference values for the nickel concentration in human finger nails, J. Trace Elements Electrolytes Health Dis., 51, 121–123 (1991).
A. Sukumar and R. Subramanian, Elements in hair and nails of urban residents of New Delhi, Biol. Trace Element Res., 34, 89–97 (1992).
E. Denkhaus and K. SaInikow, Ceit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 42, 35–56 (2002).
M. Goodman and N. Laverda, Children's health and environmental exposure to chemicals: implications for risk assessment and public health policy, in Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: Theory and Practice, D. J. Paustenbach, ed., Wiley, New York, pp. 1463–1496 (2002).
M. Patriarca, A. Menditto, B. Rossi, et al., Environmental exposure to metals of newborns, infants, and young children, Microchem. J. 67, 351–361 (2000).
Y. Takagi, S. Matsuda, S. Imai, et al., Survey of trace elements in human nails: an international comparison, J. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 41, 690–695 (1988)/
E. Barany, I. A. Bergdahl, L. E. Bratteby, et al., Trace elements in blood and serum of Swedish adolescents: relation to gender, age, residential area, and socioeconomic status, Environ. Res. A, 89, 72–84 (2002).
E. L. Kanabrocki, J. A. Kanabrocki, J. Greco, et al., Instrumental analysis of trace elements in thumbnails of human subjects, Sci. Total Environ., 13, 131–140 (1979).
A. B. R. Thomson, C. Shaver, D. J. Lee, et al., Effect of varying iron stores on site of intestinal absorption of cobalt and iron, Am. J. Physiol. 220(3), 674–678 (1971).
L. Gerhardsson, V. Englyst, N. G. Lundstrom, et al., Cadmium, copper and zinc in tissues of deceased copper smelter workers, J. Trace Elements Med. Biol. 16, 261–266 (2002).
R. A. Goyer, Toxic and essential metal interactions, Annu. Rev. Nutr. 17, 37–50 (1997).
O. A. Levander, Metabolic interrelationships between arsenic and selenium, Environ. Health Perspect 19, 159–164 (1977).
B. Nowak, Occurrence of heavy metals, sodium, calcium, and potassium in human hair, teeth, and nails, Biol. Trace Element Res. 52, 11–22 (1996).
T. P. Cheng, J. S. Morris, S. R. Koirtyohann, et al., Study of the correlation of trace elements in carpenters' toenails, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 195(1), 31–42 (1995).
R. Masironi, S. R. Koirtyohann, J. O. Pierce, et al., Calcium content of river water, trace element concentrations in toenails, and blood pressure in village populations in New Guinea, Sci. Total Environ. 6, 41–53 (1976).
M. Wilhelm, D. Hafner, I. Lombeck, et al., Monitoring of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc status in young children using toenails: comparison with scalp hair, Sci. Total Environ. 103, 199–207 (1991).
K. Chaudhary, W. D. Ehmann, K. Rengan, et al., Trace element correlation's with age and sex in human fingernails, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 195, 51–66 (1995).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Slotnick, M.J., Nriagu, J.O., Johnson, M.M. et al. Profiles of trace elements in toenails of Arab-Americans in the Detroit area, Michigan. Biol Trace Elem Res 107, 113–126 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:107:2:113
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:107:2:113