Iodine, Copper, and Zinc Levels as Indices of Nutritional Status among Residents of Wassa West District, a Mining Impacted Region of Ghana, Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Human hair and nail samples from fifty volunteers were collected from Wassa West district, a mining impacted region of Ghana, and used as biomakers of nutritional status.   Activation Analysis (INAA) was employed to analyze for levels of iodine, copper and zinc. The mean concentrations of iodine in hair of experimental subjectswas3.34± 0.54µg/g. The control subjects had a mean concentration of 1.21± 0.32µg/g of iodine. These levels were above the ideal level of 1.0µg/g to meet the physiological requirements of the individual. Mean iodine in nails of the experimental subjects was 2.70±0.25µg/g, and that of the control was 1.50±0.12µg/g.  Mean Copper levels in hair of experimental subjects were determined to be 28.49±3.40µg/g and the control recorded 15.91±2.15µg/g. Mean copper levels in nail of the experimental subjects was 29.64±1.05µg/g and the control was 19.08±2.21µg/g. Mean zinc levels in hair of the experimental subjects was 105.82±2.12µg/g, and that of the control was 113±3.45µg/g. Mean levels of zinc in the nails of the experimental subjects was 105.51±3.21µg/g and the control was 105.75±2.68µg/g. Generally, there were no striking significant statistical differences between the two groups. The two groups were well nourished

The precision and the accuracy of the analytical technique (INAA) were assessed by simultaneous activation of certified standard human hair reference material GBW 09101. The values obtained compared well with the certified values as Pearson’s correlation coefficient was + 0.99. The measurement precision as specified by the relative standard deviation was within ±0.4%. The experimental values were within ±5% of the certified values. T-test was used to establish significant statistical differences(p< 0.05) between the two groups.