Comparative analysis of heavy metals in hair and nail samples of drug-addicted patients in relation with water intake facilities

The current study was conducted to detect the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Hg) in relation to drinking water facilities in Lahore, Pakistan. Hair and nail samples were used as a biological indicators. The study comprises two types of the population a) drug-addicted patients, drinking Tap water, and b) the control group using filtered water for many years. Water samples were collected from three sites; Minar-e- Pakistan, Data Darbar, and Chouburji in Lahore, Pakistan. Nails and hair samples were collected from drug-addicted subjects (n=15) and healthy ones as the control group (n=15). A quantitative determination of heavy metals was made by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Average values for metals in water samples were present in decreasing order like Zinc > Iron > Lead > Chromium > Cadmium > Mercury. A similar tendency was observed for biological samples (hair and nails) collected from two groups of people, including drug-addicted patients. Mean values of heavy metals calculated for drug-addicted patients were significantly higher than those of healthy ones (control group), indicating that contaminated water contributes to heavy metals accumulation and toxicity in the human body. The concentration of heavy metals in samples was higher than permitted levels recommended by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. This study recognized the factors responsible for the deposition of heavy metals in drug-addicted patients and the requirements to trim down heavy metals in water. Conclusively, water filtration plants must be implemented at the macro level to prevent the bioaccumulation of metals into the human body.