Hair chromium concentration: effects of sample washing and external environment

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Abstract
Hair washing procedures and the influence of external environmental factors on hair chromium content have been investigated. The results of these studies indicate that: 1) Organic (hexane-ethanol) or detergent washing of hair samples are equally suitable and give comparable results. 2) The use of hair shampoos prior to collection only affects loosely adherent external contamination, and does not remove chromium tightly bound in the hair shaft; this does not apply to hair lighteners. 3) External environmental chromium rarely contributes to the chromium tightly bound in the hair shaft; the rare exception to this can be excluded by an adequate history at the time of sample collection. It is concluded that the chromium present in the hair shaft following standard washing procedures is endogenous in origin and the concentration is therefore likely to reflect the chromium nutritional status of the individual.

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