SEM/SDD-EDS—An analytical tool to identify water borne micro minerals pick up in human scalp hair cuticle due to water quality

Abstract Water borne micro minerals calcium and aluminium pick up in human scalp hair cuticle and its change due to water quality and or the influence of hair care substances were identified using Scanning Electron Microscope/Silicon Drift Detector-Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/SDD-EDS ) , a non-digestive and a non destructive method. Scalp hair obtained from four male volunteers, two each from urban and rural area respectively were used for this study where water quality supply to homes representing treated and untreated water supply as a reference. Water borne elements calcium and aluminium in the hair cuticle was significant and showed a clear trend among volunteers of urban and rural. Estimated pick up in concentration of calcium and aluminium are ascribed due to untreated ground water used directly in rural homes combined with oxidative damage caused due to periodic application of hair colouring substances and usage of uncontrolled aluminium containing coagulants/flocculants in treated water supply to urban homes respectively. Application of coconut oil on the scalp hair practised by a rural volunteer before hair wash and subsequent SEM/SDD-EDS analysis showed lower calcium pick up. Thus SEM/SDD-EDS is one of the suitable techniques to estimate concentration of water borne minerals in scalp hair cuticle.