SRXRF Elemental Mapping and Source Analysis of Lead, Iron, Copper, and Zinc in Human Hair from an Inhabitant in a Lead-Zinc Mining Area
January 2011
in “
Nuclear Techniques
”
TLDR Lead levels in hair increased due to environmental exposure, while iron, copper, and zinc levels stayed stable.
The study used SRXRF micro-analyses to map the elemental distribution of Pb, Fe, Cu, and Zn in human hair from an inhabitant of the Qixia lead-zinc mining area in China. It found that Pb levels increased along the hair shaft, indicating continuous environmental exposure, while Fe, Cu, and Zn levels remained stable. Pb was primarily from external contamination, whereas Fe, Cu, and Zn were linked to internal uptake. Zn and Cu were involved in the hair growth process. The research demonstrated the utility of SRXRF in biogeochemistry studies.
