Analysis of single hair by XRF discloses mercury intake

Abstract

<jats:p> Utilizing information obtained from the X-ray fluores-cence linear scanning along a single strand of hair in a recent fatal exposure to dimethylmercury, it was possible to determine the circumstances leading to the fatal result. When the Dartmouth chemistry professor displayed symptoms of mercury toxicity, samples of her urine and blood were found to have considerable amounts of mercury by a commercial laboratory. The Dartmouth medical people immediately started treatment with a chelator on January 29, 1997 to remove the mercury, and sent the first samples of blood, urine and hair taken on January 31, 1997 to our laboratory. Our X-ray fluorescence analysis of a single strand of hair shown in Figure 1 shows a single large peak of intake of mercury confirming the information revealed by examination of her laboratory notebook that she had spilled some dimethylmercury about 5 months previous to the date the hair sample was taken. Figure 2 shows two peaks, the peak closest to the scalp end of the hair shows the effect of the large amount of mercury released by the chelator, part of which appeared in the blood. Utilizing the start of the first increase in the blood level as August 14, 1996, and the second as caused by the chelator on January 29, 1997, a count of the number of 2-mm points measured between the two dates gives an accurate growth of the hair during that time. A close examination of Figure 1 indicates that it required five points, each of 2 mm, along the hair to reach the maximum. This indicates a time period of 10 mm of growth equal to 23 days during which a large concentration of methylmercury was entering the blood as evidenced by the hair concentration. The professor died on June 11, 1997. </jats:p>

Validity of methyl mercury hair analysis: mercury monitoring in human scalp/nude mouse model

“…Blood and hair were collected after 1, 2 and 4 months. The mercury concentration in human hairs grown on nude mouse was determined using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry by segmental (2 mm) analysis of single strands (Toribara et al, 1982;Toribara, 2001). Tissue concentrations were measured by cold vapor atomic absorption analysis (Magos and Clarkson, 1972).…”

MERCURY & DIMETHYLMERCURY EXPOSURE & EFFECTS

“…A second hair sample was taken on April 3,1997, and shows a second and higher peak beginning at the end ofJanuary, and rising to almost 2,000 ppm in the firs: days of February, before gradually declining to 500 ppm in early April. This documents the massive release of mercury into the circulation (which peaked at 4,000 pglL) from the chelation treatment (Toriban 2001 …”

“…She spilled "a drop*' (Toriban 2001) or "xveral drops" (Nierenberg et a1..1998) on her latex gloved hand. The various reports mcntion one to five drops, which yields an estimated 0.1 to 0.3 mL.…”

Atomic spectrometry update. Clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…Because 87 Rb overlapped the 87 Sr peak, a prior separation by on-line anion-exchange HPLC was necessary. The sensitivity of the method was increased by using a shielded torch system and USN.…”

“…O'Meara et al 177 optimised polarisation, filtration and X-ray tube voltage parameters for the in vivo determination of Hg in kidney using polarised XRF. Toribara 87 reported a study on the determination of Hg in single hair strands using linear scanning XRF. The technique was used to establish the circumstances surrounding a fatal exposure to dimethyl Hg.…”