Manganese and cobalt levels in hair and urine of RUDN University first-year students

The objective of the present study was to assess hair and urinary levels of cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) in foreign students of RUDN University in comparison to the Russian counterparts. A total of 272 first-year students of the RUDN University originating from Russia, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America were enrolled in the study. Evaluation of Mn and Co levels in urine and hair was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. The obtained data demonstrate that hair cobalt levels were found to be the highest in students originating from Russia and Africa. Similarly, urinary Co levels in subjects from Asia, Middle East, and Latin America were significantly lower than those in the Russian students. The patterns of manganese status were generally similar to those observed for cobalt. Particularly, the lowest hair Mn content was detected in subjects originating from Middle East. Manganese level in urine of students from Africa was significantly higher than that in subjects from Asia, Middle East, and Latin America, but not Russia. It is proposed that specific national dietary patterns as well as geochemistry of Mn and Co may underlie the observed differences. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020.