Coverage intervals for trace elements in human scalp hair are site specific

Abstract

Coverage intervals for trace elements in human scalp hair commonly provide the basis forinterpreting laboratory results and also in comparative decision-making processes regardingexposure risk assessment. This short communication documents, by some examples, thatthose computed for human hair are to be considered site specific, as they reflect local envi-ronmental conditions; also each geographic area has a typical profile of hair elementalcomposition of its inhabitants. Therefore, the levels of trace elements in hair are not strictlycomparable between different areas of the world. This issue is particularly relevant whenidentification of anomalous environmental exposures are requested or even in detectingphysiological disorders.