Determination of trace elements in human hair: optimization of washing procedure with a product of traditional pharmacopeia in Morocco “Rhassoul”

Abstract

Hair analysis is an accurate, low cost and non-invasive method of deter- mining the level of essential mineral elements (Cu, Mn, Zn and Pb), as well as toxic burden. Because hair is also susceptible to external contamination from the environment, hair should be washed before analysis. Having done so, sruface contgaminatin would be re- moved before starting the analysis. The core objective of this study was testing the effec- tiveness and aggressiveness of three washing procedures on the hair. This testing aimed at comparing the degree of removing the ex- ternal trace elements caused by environment from the hair. The conclusion that was drawn from this discussion was that combining the two procedures (natural and chemical), may have effective results concerning eliminat- ing the external trace elements and saving the KDLUIURPDJJUHVVLYHQHVV��7KH�oQDOO\�DGRSWHG� procedure removed effectively all external contaminants, without being too aggressive on the hair. This procedure did not remove the elements incorporated into the hair matrix, as WKLVIUDFWLRQDORQHUH?HFWVWKHDFFXPXODWLRQRI� trace elements in the organism.