Zinc, copper, iron and lead in scalp hair of students and non-student adults in Oxford.

Scalp hair samples contributed by 215 students and non-student adults in Oxford were washed, ashed and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for zinc, iron, copper and lead. The overall results were within the ranges reported from similar investigations carried out elsewhere and are what might be expected with normal, healthy subjects. However, examination of the results for different groups showed some significant differences between levels of the nutrient metals in student and non-student hair. Results for lead indicate a low level of environmental contamination for all subjects.