Hair Analysis

hair analysis

Etymology: AS, haer + Gk, a loosening

chemical analysis of a hair sample to find possible evidence of exposure to a toxic substance. Molecules of lead compounds and other chemicals are absorbed and stored in hair shafts. Hair analysis is also used to determine possible causes of malnutrition. Samples for analysis are taken from areas close to the scalp to eliminate chances that toxic chemicals found in the hair may have been absorbed from air pollutants.

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Hair Analysis

The use of scalp hair as a primary analytical specimen
Mainstream medicine Hair analysis is of limited usefulness in trace element analysis
Quackery Hair analysis is allegedly useful for evaluating health and nutritional status, protein and vitamin levels
Substance abuse The use of samples of hair to detect chronic drug abuse
Methods RIA, EIA, GC/MS
Drugs detected Amphetamines, cocaine, heroin
Levels of detection 10 pg or 10 ng/mg of hair
Toxicology The most reliable use of hair analysis is to detect chronic heavy metal poisoning—e.g., arsenic, lead, mercury

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hair analysis

The use of scalp hair as primary analytic specimen Mainstream medicine HA is of limited usefulness in trace element analysis  Substance abuse The use of samples of hair to detect chronic drug abuse Methods RIA, EIA, GC/MS Drugs detected Amphetamines, cocaine, heroin Levels of detection 10 pg or 10 ng/mg of hair Toxicology The most reliable use of HA is to detect chronic heavy metal poisoning–eg, arsenic, lead, mercury