ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC ACCUMULATION LEVEL IN HAIR AND NAILS OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN REGION OF MULTI - METAL ORE EXPLOITATION IN NUI PHAO, THAI NGUYEN

Abstract

    Mining is one of factors caused arsenic contamination in groundwater. Arsenic contaminations in human hair and nail are known to be the best biochemical indicators to detect chronic exposure. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the inhabitants living in Nui Phao, Thai Nguyen in northern Vietnam are under the risk of chronic arsenic exposure or not. Groundwater, human hair and nail samples were collected from volunteer living in Nui Phao. The average concentrations of human hair and nail arsenic were 0,29 mgKg-1and 0,67mgKg-1, respectively. About 3,5% of the resident sample was exceeded the level of arsenic toxicity in hair. Hair arsenic concentration was positive correlated with nail arsenic concentration; however, the corresponding was not so strong. The risk assessment of arsenic through groundwater pathways shows more than 65% of the people consuming groundwater could be toxically affected by arsenic and the cancer risk index was found to be 7 in 10000 exposure. Key word: arsenic, hair, nail, risk assessment, exposure