Comparison of Some Essential and Heavy Metals in The Toenails and Fingernails of School-Age Children in Kenya

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Date
2009Author
Were, Faridah Hussein
Njue, Wilson M.
Murungi, Jane
Wanjau, Ruth
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This paper describes the determination of the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn),
calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in the toenails and fingernails of children under the age of six years in urban and rural
areas in Kenya by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Lead levels in urban areas ranged from 8.0-49.0 μg/g in
fingernails and 7.0-62.0 μg/g in toenails as compared to those in rural areas (5.0-36.5 μg/g and 5.5-31.5 μg/g,
respectively). A similar trend was observed for Cd where significantly high levels were found in children in urban
areas than those in rural areas. The Fe and Zn levels were significantly higher in children in rural areas than those
in the urban areas. The levels of all the metals studied were higher in the toenails except for Fe and Ca where the
levels were higher in fingernails; however, the difference in the levels was not significant. These results indicate
that either the toenails or fingernails can be used as a reference for levels of metals environmental exposure.