Human hair samples were collected from people living in China (Shandong and Sichuan provinces), Myanmar (Yangon area), and Japan (Okayama City), and the element concentrations in the hair and drinking water were measured and compared using ICP-MS. As a result, the following findings were revealed.
1. The concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Zn in drinking water in Sichuan Province were much lower than those in drinking water in Shandong Province, but the concentrations in hair were similar. The hair/water ratio was about 10 times higher in Sichuan than in Shandong. This suggests that the contribution of dietary intake of elements in hair is higher than that in drinking water.
2. Shandong showed a similar pattern in Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, and Cd, except for Al and Pb. In Sichuan, the elemental patterns of drinking water and hair were much different than those of Shandong. In particular, there were large differences in the patterns of Cd and Pb. This may be related not only to dietary habits but also to environmental pollution due to topographical reasons, depending on the region in China.
3. The concentration of As in drinking water in Myanmar was as high as 17.8 mg/l, and the concentration in hair was as high as 1.40 mg/kg. The concentration of As in the hair of people who constantly take in drinking water containing high concentrations of As is extremely high, and there is a high possibility that chronic poisoning by As causes health problems such as skin diseases and skin cancer.
