Next arsenic and bromide standards were prepared and irradiated along with the samples of hair for 2h. Samples and standards then decayed overnight. While INAA can be accurate and useful, the hair samples may be difficult to prepare because of biophysiological or cultural differences in hair types. Arsenic absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination can vary in different people. Environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight intensity can also affect the sample.
Some hairs remain attached to the scalp although they died possibly months ago.
Lines Mee s lines are transverse white lines in finger and toenail beds. They can result from arsenic or other metal poisoning approximately six weeks after chronic arsenic ingestion, and two to three weeks after acute poisoning. The striations result from nail matrix injury, or a disturbance of nail plate keratinization. The actual lines are believed to be caused by air pockets. It is more likely that a patient would have symptoms indicating arsenic poisoning before Mee s lines would appear.