Determination of total mercury concentration in hair of Lubartow-area citizens [Lublin Region, Poland]

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate mercury content in the hair of people in Lubartów and surrounding areas (Lublin region, Poland) depending on their place of residence, lifestyle and diet. Mean mercury content in the hair of tested general population from Lubartów and surroundings, which amounted to 0.10±0.07 μg g⁻¹, was similar to the results achieved by other authors for populations from Zamość and Warsaw regions as well as about three or four times lower as compared to concentrations determined for Lublin region in 1979. It was found that mean mercury concentrations in the hair of people who had a diet rich in fish products was significantly higher as compared to mean values for remaining groups. It was recorded that the hair of smokers contained significantly higher mercury levels than that of other non-smoking respondents (0.14±0.09 μg g⁻¹ for smokers, 0.05±0.03 μg g⁻¹ and 0.09±0.06 μg g⁻¹ for non-smokers). No influence of hair dying on elevating the mercury content was found.