A Chemist's View of the Analysis of Human Hair for Trace Elements

January 1980 in “ Science of the total environment ”

Glen Chittleborough

human hair trace elements disulphide bonds hair proteins metal deposition

TLDR Analyzing trace elements in human hair is complex and needs a standardized method.

The paper discussed the analysis of trace elements in human hair, highlighting the lack of a standardized chemical basis for such analyses. It presented data on 37 trace elements and reviewed 24 pre-analysis treatments for removing exogenous elements, noting that some treatments also removed significant endogenous elements. The study suggested that disulphide bonds in hair proteins are key sites for metal deposition and interaction with external elements. It proposed a holistic, no-wash policy for hair analysis to improve reliability.

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