PIXE microanalysis in green hair

The study utilized PIXE microanalysis to examine the trace elements in the hair of a 25-year-old female with green hair syndrome. The analysis revealed high levels of copper (6,638 ppm) and zinc (1,353 ppm) at the periphery of the hair shaft, while the center was copper-free. After treatment with 1.5% 1-hydroxyethyl diphosphonic acid, copper levels decreased significantly to 684 ppm, along with reductions in zinc and calcium, while sulfur levels remained largely unchanged. The study demonstrated that PIXE is a sensitive method for detecting and quantifying trace elements in hair, useful for monitoring therapeutic effects.