Occupational exposure amongst locomotive shed workers and welders using neutron activation analysis of scalp hair.

Elemental analysis of scalp hair of locomotive shed workers and industrial welders was used to study occupational exposure. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used for the determination of 17 elements, Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Na, P, Sb, Sc, Se, Th and Zn. Most elements show normal distribution at 95% confidence level. Further statistical significance was tested by correlation coefficient and regression coefficients (r2). Comparison of mean elemental contents of the subjects with controls shows a significant enhancement of Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Na, Sc and Th, but declining trends for Br, Cu, P, Sb and Zn in locomotive shed workers. In the case of welders: Ba, Co, Cu, K, Mn, Sc and Sb show enhancement whereas Br, Cr, Hg, Se, Th and Zn exhibit depletion. Elemental contents have been correlated with possible sources of origin. Comparison of mean elemental data for the present population around Nagpur city matches well with the reported data for Bombay and Delhi. Comparative data from other countries are also presented.