Citation

Katz SA. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019; 16(6): e16060977.

Affiliation

Chemistry Faculty, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA. skatz@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph16060977

PMID

30889915

Abstract

Correlations between the concentrations of arsenic in scalp hair and in drinking water as well as in blood and/or urine have been reported. These correlations clearly show exposure⁻absorption⁻excretion relationships. In addition, arsenic metabolites such as monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid have been identified and quantified in these tissues and fluids, leaving little doubt that elevated levels of arsenic in the hair can reflect systemic arsenic intoxication. Consequently, hair analysis has potential merit as a screening procedure for poisoning by arsenic. However, questions regarding the exogenous versus the endogenous deposition of arsenic in the hair, and uncertainties about the normal level of arsenic in the hair remain unresolved. Pending their resolution, the determination of arsenic in hair should remain a screening tool, and clinical signs and symptoms should be employed to complete the diagnosis of arsenic poisoning.

Language: en

Keywords

ADME; arsenic; arsenic intoxication; arsenic methylation; hair analysis