TY - GEN
T1 - Synchrotron radiation and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence applications on elemental distribution in human hair and bones
AU - Carvalho, M. L.
AU - Marques, A. F.
AU - Brito, J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2003 American Institute of Physics
PY - 2003/1/24
Y1 - 2003/1/24
N2 - This work is an application of synchrotron microprobe X- Ray fluorescence in order to study elemental distribution along human hair samples of contemporary citizens. Furthermore, X- Ray fluorescence spectrometry is also used to analyse human bones of different historical periods: Neolithic and contemporary subjects. The elemental content in the bones allowed us to conclude about environmental contamination, dietary habits and health status influence in the corresponding citizens. All samples were collected post-mortem. Quantitative analysis was performed for Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb. Mn and Fe concentration were much higher in bones from pre-historic periods. On the contrary, Pb bone concentrations of contemporary subjects are much higher than in prehistorical ones, reaching 100 μg g-1, in some cases. Very low concentrations for Co, Ni, Br and Rb were found in all the analysed samples. Cu concentrations, allows to distinguish Chalcolithic bones from the Neolithic ones. The distribution of trace elements along human hair was studied for Pb and the obtained pattern was consistent with the theoretical model, based on the diffusion of this element from the root and along the hair. Therefore, the higher concentrations in hair for Pb of contemporary individuals were also observed in the bones of citizens of the same sampling sites. All samples were analysed directly without any chemical treatment.
AB - This work is an application of synchrotron microprobe X- Ray fluorescence in order to study elemental distribution along human hair samples of contemporary citizens. Furthermore, X- Ray fluorescence spectrometry is also used to analyse human bones of different historical periods: Neolithic and contemporary subjects. The elemental content in the bones allowed us to conclude about environmental contamination, dietary habits and health status influence in the corresponding citizens. All samples were collected post-mortem. Quantitative analysis was performed for Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb. Mn and Fe concentration were much higher in bones from pre-historic periods. On the contrary, Pb bone concentrations of contemporary subjects are much higher than in prehistorical ones, reaching 100 μg g-1, in some cases. Very low concentrations for Co, Ni, Br and Rb were found in all the analysed samples. Cu concentrations, allows to distinguish Chalcolithic bones from the Neolithic ones. The distribution of trace elements along human hair was studied for Pb and the obtained pattern was consistent with the theoretical model, based on the diffusion of this element from the root and along the hair. Therefore, the higher concentrations in hair for Pb of contemporary individuals were also observed in the bones of citizens of the same sampling sites. All samples were analysed directly without any chemical treatment.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4644274053&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1063/1.1536414
DO - 10.1063/1.1536414
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:4644274053
T3 - AIP Conference Proceedings
SP - 522
EP - 528
BT - X-Ray and Inner-Shell Processes
A2 - Bianconi, Antonio
A2 - Marcelli, Augusto
A2 - Saini, Naurang L.
PB - American Institute of Physics Inc.
T2 - 19th International Conference on X-Ray and Inner-Shell Processes
Y2 - 24 June 2002 through 28 June 2002
ER -