Structural and trace element changes in scalp hair of radiographers

Scalp hair samples were collected from medical radiographers and nonradiographers of matching age groups. Structural morphology of hair was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and the trace element profiles in hair were measured using neutron activation analysis. The structural damage to the hair follicles of the radiographers was quite obvious, and this may be a good qualitative indicator of radiation damage at low doses. The concentrations of aluminum (Al), potassium (K), and vanadium (V) in hair of the radiographers were significantly higher, whereas those of antimony (Sb) and magnesium (Mg) were significantly lower than those of nonradiographers. Some of our findings were quite consistent with those of others in determining the changes in trace element concentrations in irradiated tissue.