Hair analysis in toxicology

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Toxicology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Human hair analysis for medical purposes began decades ago, initially focusing on toxic heavy metals.
• Early hair analysis in the 1960s-1970s lacked the sensitivity for detecting organic substances like drugs.
• Technological advancements have significantly expanded the scope of hair analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development of human hair analysis for medical and toxicological purposes.
• To highlight the evolution of analytical techniques enabling drug detection in hair.
• To summarize published applications of hair analysis for substance detection.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and contemporary scientific literature on hair analysis.
• Examination of the progression of analytical methodologies, including radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
• Analysis of the capabilities of modern techniques in detecting organic substances within hair matrices.

Main Results:

• Hair analysis capabilities have advanced from heavy metal detection to sophisticated organic substance analysis.
• Highly sensitive methods developed since the 1980s enable the detection of drugs and other organic compounds in hair.
• Hair analysis now offers a retrospective window into an individual's recent history of drug exposure.

Conclusions:

• Modern analytical techniques have transformed hair analysis into a powerful tool for retrospective drug testing.
• The sensitivity and specificity of assays allow for the detection of organic substances, providing insights into drug exposure history.
• Hair analysis serves as a valuable method for medical and forensic applications, offering a timeline of substance use.