title: Accumulation of explosives in hair.
abstract: The sorption of explosives (TNT, RDX, PETN, TATP, EGDN) to hair during exposure to their vapors is examined. Three colors of hair were simultaneously exposed to explosive vapor. Following exposure of hair, the sorbed explosive was removed by extraction with acetonitrile and quantified. Results show that sorption of explosives, via vapor diffusion, to black hair is significantly greater than to blond, brown or bleached hair. Furthermore, the rate of sorption is directly related to the vapor density of the explosive: EGDN > TATP >>>TNT >> PETN > RDX. In some cases, the explosive-containing hair was subject to repeated washings with sodium dodecylsulfate or simply left out in an open area to determine the persistence of the explosive contamination. While explosive is removed from hair with time or washing, some persists. These results indicate that hair can be a useful indicator of explosive exposure/handling.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA. joxley@chm.uri.edu
authors.forename: Jimmie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Oxley
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Louis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kirschenbaum
authors.forename: Kajal P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Shinde
authors.forename: Suvarna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marimganti
mesh_terms: D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis; D005107:Explosions; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010417:Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate / Q000032:analysis; D010545:Peroxides / Q000032:analysis; D014227:Triazines / Q000032:analysis; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000032:analysis; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D010545:Peroxides; D014227:Triazines; D010417:Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate; D014303:Trinitrotoluene; C495284:triacetone triperoxide; C004882:ethylene glycol dinitrate; C009160:cyclonite