What Do Scientists Say About The Value Of Hair Analysis?

"Concentrations of Lead and other heavy metals in the hair provide an accurate and relatively permanent record of exposure, and there is a strong correlation between concentrations in hair and concentrations in internal organs."
Marlowe, M., et al. "Lead and mercury levels in emotionally disturbed children." J. ORTHOMOL PSY., Vol l 2,1983, pp.260-267.

"Mercury is deposited in hair as it grows, and the amount deposited reflects the body burden of Mercury."
Airey, D. "Mercury in human hair due to enviroment and diet: A review." Env. Health Perspectives, Vol. 52,1983, pp.303-316.  

"Hair is better than blood in reflecting long term exposure of Cadmium
Thatcher, R.W., et al. "Effects of low levels of cadmium and lead on cognitive functioning in children Arch. Env. Health,1982:37, pp. 159-65.

"Hair analysis appears to be a reliable, simple, and atraumatic method of assessing body Zinc stores."
Strain, W.H., et al. "Analysis of zinc levels in hair for the diagnosis of zinc deficiency in man." J. Lab & Clin. Med., Vol. 68, No.1.

Jacob, et al has reported hair Copper levels to correlate with liver Copper levels at a 99.9 percent confidence level.
Jacob, R.A., PhD, et al, "Hair as a biopsy material v. hair metal as an index of hepatic metal in rats: Copper and Zinc" Am.J. Clin. Nutr.31: Mar.1978, pp.477-480.

Both infants with congenital malformations and their mothers had significantly lower hair Manganese than controls. This was true for full term and pre-term infant-mother pairs.
Saner, G; Dagoglu, T. and Ozden, T., "Hair manganese concentrations in newborns and their mothers." Am. J. Clin. Nutr.41: May,1985, pp. 1042-1044. (back)