Copper in green hair: a quantitative investigation by electron probe x-ray microanalysis

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Ultrastruct. Pathol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/01913128009141433· OSTI ID:5610417

Roomans, G M; Forslind, B

Eleven cases of green hair were collected and hair tips were analyzed in the electron microscope by energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis. In all cases, remarkable copper concentrations could be demonstrated (0.2-1.8% w/w). In normal hair the concentration of copper was below the detection limit (0.02% w/w). Analyses of hair cross sections showed a concentration gradient from the periphery toward the center, the periphery having higher values. This observation is in agreement with suspected contamination of the hair with copper from extraneous sources: analysis of the tapwater in patients' homes showed elevated copper concentrations. In addition, the water showed aggressive properties (pH outside the recommended range, high nitrate concentrations, heavily chlorinated). Investigations by transmission electron microscopy showed damage in the endocuticula. Experimental studies of normal unaffected hair fibers showed that treatment with a copper salt alone could result in binding of copper to the hair but that the extent of copper binding could be greatly increased by damaging the cuticula with chlorinated water. It is suggested that aggressive water attacks copper tubings leading to increased copper concentrations in tapwater and causes cuticular damage, which facilitates entry of copper into the hair.

• OSTI ID: 5610417
• Journal Information: Ultrastruct. Pathol.; (United States), Vol. 1:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
COPPER
METABOLISM
HAIR
SENSITIVITY
CHLORINATION
DRINKING WATER
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS
HAIR FOLLICLES
HEALTH HAZARDS
PATIENTS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
WATER TREATMENT
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
ANIMAL CELLS
BODY
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
HALOGENATION
HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROANALYSIS
MICROSCOPY
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SKIN
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)
552000 - Public Health
550200 - Biochemistry