Hair, arsenic concentrations

A cross-sectional epidemiological study in Cambodia with 616 respondents evaluated hair arsenic as a biomarker not only for arsenicosis-related signs but also for associated symptoms. Authors suggested hair arsenic concentration of 1.0 4g/g to be a practical cut-off point, which in presence of one or more of the classical signs of arsenicosis seems to be a practical criteria for a confirmed diagnosis. Thus, hair arsenic concentration may be an important biomarker [26S27C]. 

Since 1960, it has been demonstrated by various analytical procedures that high concentrations of arsenic were present in Napoleon s hair.88 Multi-element analysis of two specimens of Napoleon s hair by ICP-MS after mineralization in concentrated nitric acid resulted in arsenic concentrations (42.1 and 37.4(xgg-1) about 40 times higher than normal values, confirming the hypothesis of a significant exposure to arsenic. However, mercury (3.3. and 4.7(xgg 1), antimony (2.1 and 1.8(xgg 1) and lead (229 and 112p,gg-1) were also detected at elevated levels. The elevated concentrations of Sb and Hg are in agreement with the data already known about the therapeutic treatments given to Napoleon (calomel and tartar emetic are compounds of mercury and antimony, respectively).88... 

Ingested arsenic is known to be not only excreted by urine, but also to be stored in sulfydryl rich tissue like hair, nails or skin. A method of extracting arsenic species from hair and nail samples has been developed for the analysis of the total arsenic concentration, inorganic As ( ) and As... 

One of the most famous applications in forensic science is the analysis of Napoleon s hair by ICP-MS after mineralization in concentrated nitric acid whereby an arsenic concentration about 40 times higher than normal (about 40p,gg 1) was measured (see Section 9.5). Ingested arsenic is known to be stored in sulfydryl rich tissue, like hair, nails or skin. ETV-ICP-MS combined with isotope dilution has been employed to measure thallium in human scalp hair from a person poisoned by thallium compared to control subjects, whereby several longitudinal concentration gradients for the analyzed segments (length 10 mm) were obtained.28... 

Human exposure to arsenic has been mainly assessed in the past by the determination of the total arsenic concentration in blood, hair, nails, and urine. In cases of suspected arsenic poisoning gastric juice has also been analyzed. In order to obtain meaningful data, however, it is important to determine the chemical form of arsenic, at least in body fluids. Depending on the source and length of exposure, these indicators have a different meaning and different significance as well (Foa et al., 1987 Vahter, 1988). 

Arsenic concentrations in hair and nails have been used as indicators of exposure to inorganic arsenic (112,113,121,122). However, arsenic in hair might be influenced by surface contamination via dust, water, soaps, and shampoos. Data on arsenic speciation in hair and nails is sparse. Only two studies reported the presence of dimethylated arsenic species in hair and nails (119,120). 

Table 4.2 shows quite nicely that the concentration of arsetuc in people s hair is about a hundredfold lower today than in the hairs of Napoleon or Ms son. Empress Josephine s hair had somewhat smaller arsenic concentrations, but the values would still be outstandingly Mgh in the twenty-first century. The Mgh values only reflect the fact that arsemc was much more common in paints, medicines and preservatives at earlier times, so its amoimt in the human body was also imderstandably Mgher. 

In utero exposure to arsenic may lead to pathologic manifestations both early and later in life. A study following 71 newborns concluded increased risk of cancer in later life mediated through DNA methylation, particularly at the p53 promoter region. High arsenic concentration in cord blood, fingernails, toenails and hair correlated with promoter methylation of p53 in cord blood lymphocytes. The in vivo clinical data were supported by an in vitro study in which lymphoblastoid cells were exposed to short-term arsenite treatment [47 ]. 

Nervous System Arsenic and manganese exposure is associated with neurodevelopment problems in children. Study reveals that a 50% increase of urine arsenic concentration and hair manganese levels may decrease the intelligence quotient (IQ) by 0.4 in children aged 5-15 years and by 0.7 in children aged 6-13years, respectively [48 ]. 

Hinwood, A.L., Sim, R.R., Jolley, D., et al., 2003. Hair and toenail arsenic concentrations of residents living in areas with high environmental arsenic concentrations. Environ. Health Perspect. Ill, 187-193. 

In the modern forensic chemistry laboratory (Figure B) arsenic is detected by analysis of hair samples, where the element tends to concentrate in chronic arsenic poisoning. A single strand of hair is sufficient to establish the presence or absence of the element. The technique most commonly used is neutron activation analysis, described in Chapter 19. If the concentration found is greater than about 0.0003%, poisoning is indicated normal arsenic levels are much lower than this. 

Proximity to the smokestacks of metal smelters is positively associated with increased levels of lead in the hair (manes) of horses and in tissues of small mammals, and is consistent with the results of soil and vegetation analyses (USEPA 1972). Lead concentrations were comparatively high in the hair of older or chronically impaired horses (USEPA 1972). However, tissues of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected near a zinc smelter did not contain elevated levels of lead (Sileo and Beyer 1985). Among small mammals near a metal smelter, blood ALAD activity was reduced in the white-footed mouse but normal in others, e.g., the short-tailed shrew (Beyer et al. 1985). The interaction effects of lead components in smelter emissions with other components, such as zinc, cadmium, and arsenic, are unresolved (USEPA 1972) and warrant additional research. 

Animal tissues usually contain low levels (<0.3 mg As/kg fresh weight) of arsenic. After the administration of arsenicals, these levels are elevated, especially in liver, kidney, spleen, and lung and several weeks later, arsenic is translocated to ectodermal tissues (hair, nails) because of the high concentration of sulfur-containing proteins in these tissues. 

Increased susceptibility of certain segments of the population, e.g., young children, may arise from increased tissue sensitivity, more complete absorption, altered distribution, or less developed or impaired defense mechanisms. The increased sensitivity of the child to lead toxicity is well documented (100, 101). In children, unlike the adult, renal tubular damage and encephalopathy are more common sequelae (76, 100). With arsenic exposure, children show significantly higher concentrations of the element in hair and urine than do adults (62). 

Perhaps, the most controversial death possibly involving arsenic is that of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), the French Emperor. Despite extensive studies over the past several decades, controversies still continue over Napoleon s death and whether accidental poisoning or assassination with arsenic was involved. Most historians have traditionally argued that Napoleon Bonaparte died of gastric ( stomach ) cancer in exile on the island of St. Helena in 1821. The autopsy report of Napoleon s death was not questioned for many years because Napoleon s father probably died of the disease (Lugli et al., 2007), 52. Since 1961, however, analyses of Napoleon s hair at the time of his death found high concentrations of arsenic in some, but not all, of the samples. Some experts suspected that Napoleon died of arsenic... 

Arsenic is concentrated in the liver, spleen and kidney and is bound preferentially to sulphydryl groups in skin, hair and nails. Urine and gastric contents should also be obtained. The sequential analysis of hair sections has been shown to be of value in the examination of prolonged exposure to arsenic [8]. 

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