Scalp Hair as a Monitor of Community Exposure to Lead

Abstract

Lead was measured by photon activation analysis in scalp hair from three population groups with varied types of environmental exposure. Concentrations of lead in hair increased from rural to urban to smelter areas with medians of 9.1,15.3, and 48.5 ppm, respectively. Boys under 16 residing near smelters showed consistently higher lead levels than girls of the same age group and from the same area. A history of exposure to lead was deduced from the distribution of concentration along the hair length by analyzing 1- or 2-cm segments of hair strands. A reasonably good blood lead-hair lead correlation was obtained for individuals who appeared to be in a steady state with respect to intake and excretion of lead. The analytical method for the photonuclear determination of lead in hair, the hair washing procedure, and the advantages of using hair as an epidemiologic monitor are described.