THE ELEMENTAL CONTENT OF HAIR AS AN INDICATOR FOR NATURAL AND TECHNOGENIC CONDITION OF TASHKENT REGION

Abstract

The samples of soils, drinking water and hair of habitants of 15 districts in Tashkent region studied using the method of neutron activation analysis. The results obtained from soil and drinking water analyses indicated that contents of Zn, Co, Cu and other elements in a number of districts are higher in comparison with average values throughout the region. This is related to developed industry in these regions. The analysis of the habitants' hair also indicated increased values, which are caused by environmental contamination and working conditions. For generalized assessment of environmental condition it was suggested to use the logarithm of multiplication of the lithophylic elements (Ba, Ca, K, La, Na, Rb, Sc, Sr) content, characterizing the geochemical condition. And similarly, the logarithm of multiplication of potential pollutants, typical for this area, such as Br, Co, Cr, Sb, U, Zn content in soil, water and hair was used as conditional index of overall pollution. It was demonstrated, that fluctuations of lithophylic elements content logarithm value throughout the districts of the region are insignificant and fall within range of 3941, while logarithm values for the potential pollutants vary from 3.1 to 9.3. The distribution of a hypothetical integral pollutant is presented in the cartogram. The correlation analysis conducted has established a relationship between the content of elements in environmental objects and some diseases, indicating that increased or decreased content of elements in the hair is highly likely one of the signs of a particular disease, especially in environmentally disadvantaged districts of the region.