Using ICP to Determine the Amount of Zn, Pb, and Cd in the Hair of Smokers versus Non-Smokers
Becca Schutz and Rebecca McElroy 12-06-04 CH 461
Abstract: This study is designed to find the difference of Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in the hair of smokers and non-smokers. The expected outcome was that these concentrations would be higher in smokers. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy was used to perform this hair analysis. The standards used for calibration included a 50, 500, and 5000 μg/mL solutions of Zn, Pb, and Cd. After analysis, the average concentration found in smokers’ hair for Zn, Pb, and Cd were 108,000 ng/g, 4120 ng/g, and 1390 ng/g respectively. In non-smokers’ hair these concentrations were (Zn) 113,000 ng/g, (Pb) 2190 ng/g, and (Cd) 652 ng/g. Statistical t-tests were used to determine whether these results were significantly different. Cadmium was the only element that satisfied these conditions. Therefore, there is a high probability that a smoker tends to have more cadmium in their hair than a non-smoker. This may be of interest because Cd is a toxic metal.