Trace elements in scalp hair of professional drivers and university teachers in Hong Kong.

Hair samples of 23 male professional drivers and 20 male university teachers in Hong Kong were collected, and the concentrations of Al, Sb, As, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, K, Sr, S, V, and Zn were measured. Both of the target groups fell within the same age group of 35-45. The washing method of using detergent and powder was found to be comparable to that of using ether. Difference in the mean concentration of each detected element in the two groups was tested by the Student's t-test and the Wilcoxon rank-sums test. Hair concentrations of Al, Sb, Pb, Mg, Mn, and K in the "Driver Group" were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in the "Teacher Group." On the other hand, As and Hg were found to have a higher concentration in hair of teachers. Interpretation of the findings in terms of the environmental factor and the metabolic rate was attempted.