Characterizing arsenic in preserved hair for assessing exposure potential and discriminating poisoning

Abstract

Advanced analytical techniques have been used to characterize arsenic in taxidermy specimens. Arsenic was examined to aid in discriminating its use as a preservative from that incorporated by ingestion and hence indicate poisoning (in the case of historical figures). The results are relevant to museum curators, occupational and environmental exposure concerns, toxicological and anthropological investigations. Hair samples were obtained from six taxidermy specimens preserved with arsenic in the late 1800s and early 1900s to investigate the arsenic incorporation. The presence of arsenic poses a potential hazard in museum and private collections. For one sample, arsenic was confirmed to be present on the hair with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and then measured with neutron activation analysis to comprise 176 microg g(-1). The hair cross section was analysed with synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence to investigate the transverse distribution of topically applied arsenic. It was found that the arsenic had significantly penetrated all hair samples. Association with melanin clusters and the medulla was observed. Lead and mercury were also identified in one sample. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy of the As K-edge indicated that an arsenate species predominantly existed in all samples; however, analysis was hindered by very rapid photoreduction of the arsenic. It would be difficult to discriminate arsenic consumption from topically applied arsenic based on the physical transverse distribution. Longitudinal distributions and chemical speciation may still allow differentiation.

Hair analysis as a biomonitor for toxicology, disease and health status

“…144,165,175 Instrumentation must be rigorously set up for analysis of hair for optimal analysis and accurate interpretation. 89 Non-destructive, quantified bulk analysis enables other analysis to be performed which may be of interest to probe different levels of information from a hair, or to preserve the sample in legal or cultural heritage applications.…”

Element localization in archaeological bone using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence: identification of biogenic uptake

“…With synchrotron radiation, faster scans are obtained, and the brilliance of the light results in a greater sensitivity to elements present only in small concentrations. Varying levels of success have been achieved with archaeological tissues such as teeth (Martin et al, 2010, Martin et al, 2004, Martin et al, 2007a, hair (Bertrand et al, 2003, Kempson et al, 2009) and bone (Dumont et al, 2009, Kuczumow et al, 2010, Martin et al, 2007b, Wittmers et al, 2008. With the knowledge that previous studies were not able to identify the biogenic uptake of lead due to the limitations of the bone samples that were clearly affected by the burial environment (Wittmers et al, 2008), our primary objective was to expand on these previous methods through the fusion of conventional light microscopy (histological) analysis of the bone samples with elemental mapping obtained through the use of synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) technology.…”

Changes in the Metal Content of Human Hair During Diagenesis From 500 Years, Exposure to Glacial and Aqueous Environments

“…Interpretation of the results of elemental analysis of hair depends on the preservation and the degree of its exposure to external environments. External contamination will compromise any inference drawn (Kempson et al. , 2003, 2006, 2009; Kempson and Skinner 2005; Martin et al.…”

“…Interpretation of the results of elemental analysis of hair depends on the preservation and the degree of its exposure to external environments. External contamination will compromise any inference drawn (Kempson et al, 2003(Kempson et al, , 2006(Kempson et al, , 2009Kempson and Skinner 2005;Martin et al 2005). As such, there is debate regarding the usefulness of elemental analysis of hair, especially for commercial applications (Radosevich 1993;Miekeley et al 1998;Seidel et al 2001), demonstrating that a simple routine approach for hair analysis doesn't currently exist.…”