Distribution of Mineral Elements and Influencing Factors in Scalp Hair of Childbearing Age Women in the County of Xinghe, Inner Mongolia of China.

The distribution and influencing factors on age, reproductive history and dietary habits in scalp hair of rural childbearing female in the county of XingHe, Inner Mongolia of China were studied. 21 mineral elements including essential and toxic elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn ) in scalp hair samples from 180 females of childbearing age were measured with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), respectively. The results demonstrated that the content of the most mineral elements (B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) existed in a descending order in the hair of young age group (18～29 years) to the elder age group (40～45 years), while elements of Ca, Mg, Mn and Pb were found to have the lowest content in the middle age group (30～39 years). Women having two children were more likely to have the lowest content of Ca, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sr and Zn due to the increased numbers of pregnancies, the statistically correlations had been proved among Ca, Pb and Sn. In addition, dietary habits also can affect the level of the mineral elements in hair, for example, consuming suancai food frequently can cause lower level of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Sr, Mo and Pb, but higher Se, the frequent intake of meat resulted in increased content of Zn and Se. The individuals that declared intaking vegetables regularly had more Si in their hair. Also, daily intake of fruit leads to higher level of Mn, Ni and Ti. This study will provide basic and useful information when addressing reproductive and women health challenges in the rural areas where poor dietary habits are prevailing.