Nondestructive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry for determination of trace elements along a single strand of hair

Toribara, T.Y.; Jackson, David A.; French, Walter R.; Thompson, A.C.; Jaklevic, J.M.

doi:10.1021/ac00248a043

Cited by 63 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…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).…”

Section: Hair Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Zaręba

Cernichiari

Goldsmith

et al. 2007

J of Applied Toxicology

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Objective. The grafting of human scalp hair was used as a new application of this method to explore methyl mercury incorporation into human hair and to validate this model for mercury monitoring in hair.Methods. Human scalp grafts were transplanted to athymic BALB/c nude mice. The animals were exposed to methyl mercury either as a single dose i.p. or continuously for 4 months, using ALZET osmotic pumps. The mercury concentration in hair was determined using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry by segmental (2 mm) analysis of a single strand, and tissue concentrations were measured by cold vapor atomic absorption analysis.Results. Human scalp hair grown in nude mice showed long-term persistence of human features including the expression of histocompatibility antigens (KAB 3, W 6/32, SF 1-1.1.1) and normal hair morphometry. The disposition of methyl mercury in nude mice followed a one-compartment model with a whole body elimination half-life of 6.7 days (elimination constant, k = = = = = 0.1/day). Autoradiographic studies revealed that methyl mercury was rapidly incorporated into areas of the hair follicle undergoing active keratinization. Methyl mercury concentrations in human hair transplanted onto nude mice were two orders of magnitude higher than in blood and attained a mean hair: blood ratio of 217 : 1, similar to ratios reported only in human studies.Conclusions. This study demonstrated that human hair grown on nude mice can record the level of exposure to methyl mercury and can serve as a valuable research tool to study mercury incorporation into human hair. Copyright

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Section: Hair Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Zaręba

Cernichiari

Goldsmith

et al. 2007

J of Applied Toxicology

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“…The laboratory that conducted the assay participates in a proficiency testing program for the blood lead assay administered by the New York State Department of Health. Hair-root samples were assayed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry [5]. The instrument was calibrated by comparing the XRF counts with the measurement of lead contents in hair samples by atomic absorption.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A technique using hair samples may be used for the screening of elevated lead levels. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry can determine the lead content in short segments of hair [5]. Because lead has been reported to be deposited into the sheath of the hair-root [6] and that this portion of the hair extends into the skin, a hair-root sample may be less prone to external contamination, and thus may be useful in screening for elevated lead levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hair-root lead to screen for lead toxicity

Campbell

Toribara

2001

J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med.

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The objective of ths study was o determine the validity of a hair‐root lead level for the screening of elevated blood lead levels. Children who required a screening blood lead level were eligible for enrollment. After consent, a venipuncture blood sample was obtained from each child and, concurrently, three to five hair samples were plucked from the scalp. All telogen hairs and samples without a hair‐root sheath were discarded. Two samples were assayed using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry: one was from a child with a blood lead level of 1 μg/dL and the second was from a child with a blood lead level of 54 μg/dL. A total of 148 hair‐root samples were obtained. Only 59 (40%) had a hair‐root sheath. The average elemental count, which is a measure of the amount of lead at the position of the hair‐root being measured, was 313 for a child with a blood lead level of 1 μg/dL and 266 for a child with a blood lead level of 54 μg/dL. These counts are very low, essentially the same, and very close to the background counts. The findings of this study do not support the use of hair‐root samples for the screening of elevated blood lead levels. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 14:69–72, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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“…In the recent fatal case of dimethylmercury toxicity reported in the New York Times (June 11,1997) and in scientific journals,5 various samples of urine, blood, tissues and hair were sent to our laboratory for analysis after the onset of the symptoms. Utilizing our technique for the linear scanning of a single hair it was apparent that the fatal dose of mercury resulted from a single incident during which a large quantity was taken in.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of single hair by XRF discloses mercury intake

Toribara

2001

Hum Exp Toxicol

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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.

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Nondestructive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry for determination of trace elements along a single strand of hair

Cited by 63 publications

References 6 publications

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

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

Hair-root lead to screen for lead toxicity

Analysis of single hair by XRF discloses mercury intake

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