Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin report that human hair can record chemical exposure over days, weeks and months because hair grows slowly. The study explains that each hair section represents a period of past exposure and can reconstruct timelines that blood or urine cannot capture.
Anna Neville began the work in a class with Pawel Misztal after testing a lock of her own hair. Heating the strands released molecules that a mass spectrometer identified in real time, and a clear spike of phthalates matched a visit to her parents' house during renovations.
The team paired thermal desorption with a fast mass spectrometer known in the lab as the "sniffer." Analyzing donated hair, they detected more than 1,000 compounds, including phthalates and cigarette smoke residues. The study highlights indoor sources of exposure and suggests practical steps to reduce risks.
Difficult words
- exposure — contact with a chemical or harmful thing
- reconstruct — build a past timeline from evidence
- mass spectrometer — machine that finds chemicals by mass
- phthalate — chemical used in plastics, possible pollutantphthalates
- residue — small amount left after a processresidues
- detect — find or notice the presence ofdetected
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Discussion questions
- How could hair analysis like this change health checks or exposure monitoring in your community?
- Would you be willing to donate hair for research? Why or why not?
- What practical steps could people take to reduce indoor chemical exposure during home renovations?
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