Scalp Hair Analysis Using µ-PIXE for Screening Toxic Elements Accumulation in Gold Miners

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Physics, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

2 UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences & Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria 0003, South Africa

3 Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, Western Cape Province, South Africa

4 iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Materials Research Department, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, Cape Town, South Africa

5 Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

10.22059/poll.2024.381741.2537

Abstract

Artisanal mining is an expanding sector of the mining industry in various parts of the world. Workers in this field often lack protective safety gear and are exposed to mining pollutants that can adversely affect their health and well-being. Given the limited availability of occupational biomonitoring studies in the mining industries of countries like Sudan, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a micro Particle Induced X-ray Emission (µ-PIXE) approach to biomonitor human tissue—specifically hair samples—obtained from artisanal gold miners for the presence of toxic metals, including iron (Fe). Gold miners from the region in Sudan voluntarily provided hair samples, which were subsequently analyzed using the PIXE technique. The analysis revealed a range of elements, including sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), bromine (Br), strontium (Sr), and lead (Pb). However, some essential elements, such as silicon (Si) and chromium (Cr), were notably absent. All samples contained elevated levels of sulfur, phosphorus (P), and chlorine, with some samples indicating the presence of lead (Pb). 
Additionally, only six out of the nineteen samples contained lead, and its absence can result in metabolic issues and hinder tissue growth. Furthermore, all analyzed hair samples exhibited low levels of essential elements like zinc, which is vital for plant disease resistance, photosynthesis, cell membrane integrity, protein synthesis, and pollen formation.

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References

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Pollution
Volume 11, Issue 2
February 2025
Pages 497-509

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