Hair mineral analysis of children living on Kauai's north shore (Hawaii)

No published human research has evaluated the health effects of living in golf course communities. Pesticides have been demonstrated to increase rates of some cancers and neurological diseases. Some pesticides used on golf turf contain copper, manganese, arsenic, and previously contained mercury. The World Health Organization uses hair mineral analysis as a screening tool for toxic metals status.; Objectives. To evaluate differences in toxic hair minerals in children who have been raised in proximity to a golf course compared to a control group of children.; Methodology. Hair mineral analysis was performed on 50 children from a local elementary school. Twenty subjects lived in proximity to the golf course. Fifteen controls lived in a farming town below the golf course community bluffs. Six controls lived in a nearby farming community. Nine controls lived in rural communities without a history of farming.; Results. The following values reported were mean levels: Aluminum = 14.4 ppm (normal: 0–9 ppm) toxic 12(24%), borderline toxicity 29(58%), normal 9(18%); Antimony = .043 ppm (normal: 0–.03 ppm) toxic 15(30%), borderline toxic 19(38%), normal 16(32%); Arsenic = .0191 ppm (normal 0–.1 ppm) toxic 0, borderline toxic 15(30%), normal 35(70%); Cadmium = .157ppm (normal 0–.15 ppm) toxic 4(8%), borderline toxic 11(22%), normal 35(70%); Lead = 1.0 ppm (normal: 0–.5 ppm) toxic 18(36%), borderline toxic 24(48%), normal 8(15%); Mercury = 1.53 ppm (normal: 0–1 ppm) toxic 28(56%), borderline toxic 20(40%), normal 16(32%). Average subject displayed 2.74 metals in borderline 8v toxic range.; Conclusions. Children living in proximity to the golf course did not demonstrate higher hair levels of toxic metals or lower levels of detoxification minerals (Se, Zn, S) than controls. Unexpectedly elevated levels of toxic metals were at toxic or borderline-toxic levels for many if not most children regardless of community of residence, although were significantly lower than values reported from many developing countries. Hair mineral analysis is a good tool for toxic metals but of limited value for nutritional minerals. Interpretation of data was confounded by possible contaminants on hair shaft, rather than in hair follicle.