Elemental profiles and determinants of hair composition in residents of Nanning, China: insights from multivariate and comparative analyses

Abstract

Human hair integrates long-term mineral and metal exposure and serves as a convenient, noninvasive biomarker. Hair samples from 30 adult residents who had long-term residence in Nanning were analyzed for 20 elements. Mean concentrations were ranked as Ca > Na > Zn > K > Mg > Cu > Fe > Sr > Ba > Ti > As > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cr > Se > Mo > V > Cd > Co. The correlation-based clustering identified three major co-variation modules: 1) a hard-water and carbonate background-related pattern; 2) a possible dust-related Fe-Ti pattern with partial contribution from Mn; and 3) a heavy-metal co-variation pattern involving V-Cr, Pb-Cd, and partially Ni. OPLS-DA clearly distinguished sex-related differences in elemental composition. Hair samples from females exhibited higher concentrations of Ca, Mg, Zn, Sr, and Co, whereas Na and K concentrations were higher in male hair. Age was negatively correlated with Fe (r = −0.386) and Mn (r = −0.403). In regional comparisons, human hair from Nanning residents was enriched in Na, K, Zn, and Ba, while Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Ni exhibited relatively lower levels. Collectively, hair from Nanning residents was characterized by enrichment in nutritional and electrolyte elements and the consistently lower concentrations of several transition and toxic metals. Sex and age contributed substantially to inter-individual heterogeneity. This pilot dataset provides preliminary evidence for the elemental patterns in human hair from the Nanning region and may serve as a basis for future larger-scale studies.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Hair analysis / Trace elements / OPLS-DA / Exposure assessment / Nanning

Highlight

	● We profiled 20 hair elements in 30 adults from Nanning, China.
	● Correlations revealed three modules: hardness, oxide/dust, and heavy metals.
	● OPLS-DA separated sexes, with females higher in Ca, Mg, Zn, Sr, and Co.
	● Nanning hair was high in Na/K/Zn/Ba and low in Fe/Mn/Cr/Pb/Cd/Ni.

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