A rapid and simple method for the determination of trace metals in hair samples by atomic absorption spectrometry

Acid digestion procedures are described for the dissolution of human head hair in routine determinations of cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead and zinc in the same sample solution by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The techniques employed are atomization in a Massman graphite furnace or in an air—acetylene flame; the cold-vapor cell is used for mercury. The entire analytical procedure is tested with powdered homogenized head hair samples, previously analyzed by other analytical techniques. Comparison of the results demonstrates that the proposed technique is at least as precise and accurate as the other procedures used.