Biomonitoring of exposure to metals and metalloids using toenail and fingernail sampling in individuals from artisanal gold mining areas in Mali

Artisanal gold mining can release metallic elements in the environment that can result in occupational and environmental exposures. This pilot study aimed to assess exposure to metals and metalloids from fingernail and toenail samples in artisanal gold mine workers, inhabitants of a mining and non-mining village in Mali. As it can be particularly challenging to collect and transport biological samples from remote areas, nail sample collection was tested as a potential choice for multielement biomonitoring. A convenience sampling of 315 individuals was performed equally distributed in each location group (105 per location) and stratified by populational group (male adults, female adults, and people