High lead level in the Alps in XIXth century, learning from the analysis of 138 historical hair stands

Analysis of hair is known to provide useful information about environmental and toxic exposures. Very little historical use has been made this type investigation. Here we study 138 human samples from 19th century in France. In order examine the potential association between contamination health impacts, characterized by 33 elements a set strands sampled during last quarter Savoy region After selected washing step on conserved at Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle Paris (France), assessed presence inorganics ICP/MS, lead level was higher than values reported literature. We then compared concentrations distributions women men, sampling locations crossing gender geographical origin. Hair high throughout end century: significantly for people living towns or industrial valleys, lower those countryside mountains areas. Environmental economic changes (industrialization urbanization with water adduction leaded paints), habits (kitchenware, cosmetics, wine, tobacco), local features (mines exploitation, railroad development, industrialized narrow valleys) could be envisaged explaining contamination. same period, two main valleys (Maurienne Tarentaise) had rates endemic goiter cretinism among highest levels. Other lines evidence will need explore investigate possible link Pb exposure area.