How a Chemistry Lab Experiment Revealed Possible Health Problems A new experiment on analyzing hair for trace metals was introduced inta my Quantitative Analysis laboratory. A surprising outwme was that we found this experiment also allowed students to monitor some facets of their general health and revealed some unknown pmblems. Since many of the students are in lhxiwlogx Medical Technologx and other medically related fields, we expected that this experiment would be very meaningful. Students were asked to cut some hair from the nape of their necks, which was then subjected to clean-up, hair protein destruction, and sample analysis for the metallic ions of iron, copper, zinc, and chromium. The ion concentrations were expected a t the parts per million (ppm) levels, so the s;rmples were submitted for atomic absorption analysis to the NLU Soile and Plant analysis Lab directed by Debbie Brotherton. The atomic absorption data for each student's hair was then collected and average values were obtained for the males and females in the class. D~seussionof these average values with the class of 24 students revealed that several female students had unusually law iron levels and one male student had a very high zinc concentration. It was discovered that the male student was taking zinc supplement tablets for a certain sports activity. However in the case of the female students with unusually low iron levels, medical examinations later revealed iron anemia in the blood. Some of the female students were totally unaware of this medical problem of low iron in the hlwd but were suspicious that there was some problem. These unexpected results emphasized to these students that hair analysis may be a useful diagnostic twl, particularly for one's own health. Quantitative analysis laboratory st most universities is considered to be demanding since the students must develop meticulous lab technique in order to seore well on the analyses they perform. Analysis of hair samples for trace metal content is an experiment that demonstrates the importance of being careful in the lab, plus i t shows how analytical tests are used in the real world
Frank N. Bruscato Northeast Louisiana University Monroe, LA 71209
Volume 70 Number 4 April 1993
311
