Numerous studies have demonstrated that dental calculus is a concrete storehouse of the oral microbiome and micro-remains of dietary and non-dietary origin. Dental calculus analysis allows insight into past populations’ dietary contents and public health concerns. This study aimed at questioning whether two individuals from Begho (Ghana) were at risk of industrial pollution from their dental calculus samples.

Three calculus samples from the two adult individuals were subjected to X-ray fluorescence analysis using the Rigaku NEX CG X-ray fluorescence machine. After calibration with a bead of borosilicate, the 3.5g samples were run for 15–20minutes along with the Rigaku NEX CG XRF fundamental parameters (FP) double determination approach and a helium gas test flow rate of 0.660ml/min. Results are semi-quantitative determinations in percent values.

In total, 59 elements and 55 molecular fingerprints were automatically generated. Oxygen and calcium elements were high for all samples, and variations in Fe, Si, and Al elements and corresponding oxides were evidenced in the three samples. The dental calculus analysis revealed an expected composition of calcified aluminium silicate, minimal traces of industrial pollutants such as lead, mercury, and chromium, and no trace of arsenic, antimony, and cadmium.

By analyzing dental calculus in direct correlation with alimentation, we assert that the two individuals sampled were not exposed to lead, chromium, mercury, arsenic, antimony, and cadmium in Begho (10^th–19^th C. AD). We infer that industrial pollutants did not jeopardize the health of these Begho individuals.