Contribution to understanding copper and zinc concentrations in the hair of children from the foothills of the Krušné hory mountains
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of the project was to investigate if and how much copper and zinc enter the environment during coal mining and incineration exposing the child population from foothills of Krušné Hory mountains. Methodology: After informed consent of parents 258 children's hair were sampled and analysed for Cu and Zn.
Children visited the third class of elementary schools in Sokolov, Královské Poříčí, Litvínov, Horní Jiřetín, Lom u Mostu, Osek u Duchcova and Duchcov in two coal mining areas. Sampling was accompanied with a questionaire completing exposure information.
The results of questionaires and analyses were evaluated with descriptive statistics and analysed with nonparametric tests. Measurment of metals in the aerosol particles of PM10 took part in Sokolov and Lom u Mostu.
Results: The median of the Cu value found in children's hair in individual localities was at 9.8-16.2 mg/kg. For zinc 163-200 mg/kg.
Analyses of copper and zinc at aerosol particles PM10 showes values comparable to background levels. Median of copper in Sokolov reached 4.4 ng/m3 and in Lom u Mostu 2.5 ng/m3, zinc was 13.4 ng/m3 resp. 10.9 ng/m3.
Conclusion: The results of zinc and copper in hair of children are not explained by high exposure from coal mining. To explain individual high levels of copper and zinc it is necessary to find sources in nutrition, food additives, cosmetics or dermatology medications and have an interest in children's health.