New research at the University of Texas at Austin shows that human hair can record chemical exposure over days, weeks and months. Each small section of hair represents about a month of exposure, so a strand can help build a timeline that blood or urine cannot.
Anna Neville tested her own hair in a lab class and found a spike of phthalates during a visit to her parents' house while they renovated. The team used heating to release chemicals and a mass spectrometer to measure them quickly from intact hair. The study also notes that many pollutants come from indoor sources and gives simple steps to reduce exposure.
Difficult words
- record — keep information so people can read it later
- exposure — time when someone meets a chemical or danger
- timeline — a line of events in order by time
- mass spectrometer — a machine that measures chemicals by mass
- pollutant — a substance that makes air or water dirtypollutants
- renovate — to repair and improve a building or roomrenovated
- phthalate — a chemical used in plastics and some productsphthalates
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you want to test your hair to see chemical exposure? Why or why not?
- What simple step could you try at home to reduce indoor pollutants?
- How can a hair timeline be more useful than a blood or urine test?
Related articles
Worry about police linked to heart risk in Black women
A US study of 422 Black women found that worry about police interactions—especially concern for their children—was associated with thicker carotid artery measurements, a marker of cardiovascular risk. The study shows correlation, not causation.
Connie Nshemereirwe: linking science, policy and education in Africa
Connie Nshemereirwe is an educational measurement specialist and former engineer who promotes Africa-led research, better science communication and stronger ties among scientists in the global South. She also directs the Africa Science Leadership Program.
