Trace elements in hair and nail samples of nursery operators in Peninsular Malaysia: occupational exposure and environmental health implications

Nursery operators are potentially exposed to environmental contaminants, particularly toxic trace elements from prolonged agrochemical use. This study evaluated and compared trace element concentrations in hair and nail samples of nursery operators from conventional and organic nurseries in Peninsular Malaysia. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with 48 participants (20 from conventional and 28 from organic nurseries). Hair and nail samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify 14 trace elements. Results showed that conventional nursery operators had significantly higher concentrations of toxic elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and ammonia (NH₃), than their organic counterparts (p