title: Instrumental analysis of trace elements in thumbnails of human subjects.
abstract: Human thumbnails were analyzed for trace elements by instrumental analysis using thermal neutron activation technique. The average concentration of metals studied in clinically symptom-free adult female and male subjects were: zinc, 184 vs. 153 ppm; chromium, 6.8 vs. 4.2; selenium, 0.9 vs. 0.6; gold, 2.6 vs. 0.4; mercury, 1.9 vs. 0.4; silver, 0.7 vs. 0.3; cobalt, 0.07 vs. 0.04. A summary of literature reported concentration of metals in human nail is also presented.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000032:analysis*; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements