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Trace Element Profiles in Single Strands of Human Hair Determined by HR-ICP-MS

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Abstract

Trace element analysis of human hair has the potential to reveal retrospective information about an individual’s nutritional status and exposure. As trace elements are incorporated into the hair during the growth process, longitudinal segments of the hair may reflect the body burden during the growth period. We have evaluated the potential of human hair to indicate exposure or nutritional status over time by analysing trace element profiles in single strands of human hair. The hair strands from five healthy and occupationally unexposed subjects were cut into 1-cm long segments starting from the scalp. By using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS), we achieved profiles of 12 elements in single strands of human hair, namely, Ag, As, Au, Cd, Cu, Hg, Fe, Pb, Se, Sr, U and Zn. We have shown that trace element analysis along single strands of human hair can yield information about essential and toxic elements, and for some elements, can be correlated with seasonal changes in diet and exposure. The information obtained from the trace element profiles of human hair in this study substantiates the potential of hair as a biomarker.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Kristin Gellein, Syverin Lierhagen & Trond Peder Flaten

  2. Stjørdal Museum, NO-7501, Stjørdal, Norway

    Per Steinar Brevik

  3. Mandu AS, NO-7549, Tanem, Norway

    Marte Teigen

  4. Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7489, Trondheim, Norway

    Parvinder Kaur & Tore Syversen

  5. Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7034, Trondheim, Norway

    Tajeshwar Singh

Authors
  1. Kristin Gellein
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  2. Syverin Lierhagen
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  3. Per Steinar Brevik
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  4. Marte Teigen
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  5. Parvinder Kaur
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  6. Tajeshwar Singh
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  7. Trond Peder Flaten
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  8. Tore Syversen
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Correspondence to Kristin Gellein.

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Gellein, K., Lierhagen, S., Brevik, P.S. et al. Trace Element Profiles in Single Strands of Human Hair Determined by HR-ICP-MS. Biol Trace Elem Res 123, 250–260 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8104-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8104-0

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