CONTROL OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN THE HAIR OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF UST-KAMENOGORSK

Abstract

In this article, human hair is regarded as a bio-indicator of the toxic metals pollution degree of the environment. According to earlier studies, it is established that the life expectancy of a person and his work activity directly near the sources of pollution affect the level of heavy metals concentration in his body. The content of heavy metals in hair usually reflects their content in other tissues of the body [1]. In the presented study, hair samples were taken from workers of tantalum production of JSC Ulba Metallurgical Plant. Studies were conducted according to the established method [2]. Concentrations of toxic elements (Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd) were determined with the help of the atomic absorption spectrometer MGA-915 (JSC Lumeks, Russia). Preliminary conclusions are drawn about the dependence of the content of certain toxic elements in the hair tissues of workers on the duration of their labor activity on harmful tantalum production.