Examination of macro- and trace element content in hair of workers of a mining and processing enterprise in Mongolia

Element status of 40 male workers (43.9 +/- 8.9 years old) of the "Erdenet" copper-molybdenum ore mining and processing enterprise (Mongolia) was estimated using hair inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry analysis and comparison with outer control group. Differences between workers of the production (PS) and non-production (NPS) spheres were also studied. It was found that Mongolian workers do not differ from the control group by levels of macroelements though have significantly lower hair content of Cr (2.1-fold). 1 (4.4-fold), Se (1.2-fold), Cd (1.6-fold), Hg (4.2-fold), Si (1.5-fold), V (3.3-fold). and much higher hair content of Mo (9.5-fold). PS workers were found to have higher hair Mo (1.6-fold. p < 0.001) than NPS. Significantly higher hair content of essential Co (3.3-fold). Cr (1.9-fold). Fe (2-fold), I (3-fold), Se (1.2-fold), and Ca (1.7-fold) was also observed in PS workers. The data indicate distinct effect of occupational exposure to Mo. Lowered levels of essential elements, especially pronounced in the NPS subgroup. probably reflect peculiarities of Mongolian diets lacking vegetables and sea food.