Journal Published Online: 01 January 1977
Volume 22, Issue 1

The Absorption of Arsenic into Single Human Head Hairs

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The study of arsenic in human head hair has long been of considerable interest as a potential index of arsenic poisoning. Two accounts are found in the literature of the mechanism by which arsenic becomes desposited in hair. In one, ingested arsenic is incorporated into the growing hair shaft via the follicle [1]; the location at specific distances from the hair root of regions of increased concentrations of arsenic in hair taken from subjects after the ingestion of arsenic [2] (for example, from Napoleon Bonaparte at various times before his death [3,4]) were interpreted as indicative of the time before plucking at which arsenic ingestion had occurred, under assumptions as to the rate of growth of hair.

Author Information

Maes, D
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Pate, BD
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS10371J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10371J