Pubic hair

Ideal matrix for the detection of internal exposure to methylmercury.

Hairs are an excretion compartment of the body. By analyzing single hair segments information about time trends of exposure can be obtained.

Based on epidemiological data, toxicokinetic knowledge and under consideration of practical factors hairs are the best indicator medium for an assessment of individual methyl mercury exposure.

In adequate great populations and based on groups hair analysis can be used as screening method for assessing the exposures to nicotine, inorganic arsenic compounds, and lead, especially in children.

However, hair analysis does not allow an identification of the exposure source.

Sampling area

Analytes

• Metals

  Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals

  Search data

Sampling period