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 determining 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 removed before starting the analysis. The core objective of this study was testing the effectiveness and aggressiveness of three washing procedures on the hair. This testing aimed at comparing the degree of removing the external 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 eliminating the external trace elements and saving the 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 trace elements in the organism.

Effects of Imbalance in Trace Element on Thyroid Gland from Moroccan Children

“…The individual hair samples (50 mg) were washed and dried according to the method proposed by El-Fadeli et al [24], with Rhassoul clay, water, nitric acid, and acetone. Afterwards, the samples were introduced into a polystyrene tube, and 1 ml nitric acid (8N) was added [25,26].…”