Abstract: Objective To study the changes of the level of trace elements in the hair and serum of printing workers, who might have been exposed to heavy metals.Methods Hair and serum were collected from both printing workers(printing worker group), and workers not related in printing industry(control group).The concentration of manganese, lead, chrome, copper and zinc were determined by the inductance-coupling plasma atom emission spectrum method.Results The manganese and copper levels in the serum of the printing worker group were exceeded in relation to the control group(P<0.05).The level of zinc in serum of printing worker group was much higher than those in control group(P<0.05).The levels of chrome and manganese in hair of printing worker group were much higher than those in control group(P<0.05).The levels of zinc and copper in hair of printing worker group were much lower than those in control group(P<0.05).The lead level in serum and hair did not show any significant difference between printing worker and control group.Conclusion Exposure to heavy metals affects the levels of some trace elements in the hair and serum of printing workers.

Key words: print, hair, serum, microelement