The chemical forms of mercury in human hair: a study using X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Human hair is frequently used as a bioindicator of mercury exposure. We have used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to examine the chemical forms of mercury in human hair samples taken from individuals with high fish consumption and concomitant exposure to methylmercury. The mercury is found to be predominantly methylmercury-cysteine or closely related species, comprising approximately 80% of the total mercury, with the remainder an inorganic thiolate-coordinated mercuric species. No appreciable role was found for selenium in coordinating mercury in hair.