Activation Analysis of Human Head Hair. VII. Characteristics of Trace Elements in Japanese Head Hair

Abstract

As a representative sample of Japanese population, 996 samples of head hair were collected in 1967. Using nondestructive activation analysis, the concentration of nine elements such as Al, Cl, Na, Br, Mn, Cu, Hg Zn, and Au was determined and their histograms showing the relation between concentration and frequency were established. The distribution histograms were analogous to the so called log-normal type, except Zn and Hg, and converted to the normal type distribution by the logarithmic conversion of the scale of concentration. The concentration of mercury in the samples ranged from 1 to 13 ppm and only one sample showed a very high concentration of 47 ppm. The averages, excluding this exception, were 5.42 ppm for males, 4.62 ppm for females, and 5.02 for total. The correlations among the trace elemens were not markedly high and it is considered that the elements exist independent of each other. The highest correlation was recognized between Na and Cl. The concentration of trace elements in Japanese human head hair was generally low compared with date on other races reported by several workers. Three elements, Hg, Br, and Mn, showed slightly higher concentration and were characteristic to Japanese hair.