PIXE Analysis of Human Hair Samples

PIXE analysis of human hair samples was carried out with 2 MeV protons. The trace elemental contents in hair samples collected from different parts of the same person had standard deviations ranging from 17 % to 28% whereas those from hair samples of different persons had standard deviations ranging from 26 % to 69 % . Significant differences in the trace levels in samples from different parts of the body of the same person suggests that the trace elemental absorption and accumulation in hair depends on the location of the hair in the body. The trace concentrations in white hair and black hair also showed differences.