The materials IAEA-085 and IAEA-086 were prepared from human hair which was donated to the IAEA. IAEA-085 represents hair with an elevated level of methylmercury (achieved by spiking the sample with methylmercury) whilst IAEA-086 is representative of the endogenous level for this analyte. The hair was cryogenically homogenized using the stainless steel “CryoPalla” mill at the KFA-Jülich Specimen Bank facility. The hair was subjected to consecutive millings, until approximately 70% had a particle size below 71 µm. These materials were γ-sterilized to ensure long-term stability of the material by inhibiting microbial action.
| Analyte | Value | Unit | 95% C.I. | N | R/I/C |
| Ca | 1120 | mg/kg | 1000 – 1240 | 11 | I |
| Cu | 17.6 | mg/kg | 16.6 – 18.5 | 17 | I |
| Fe | 123 | mg/kg | 110 – 136 | 19 | R |
| Hg | 0.573 | mg/kg | 0.534 – 0.612 | 61 | R |
| MeHg | 0.258* | mg/kg | 0.236 – 0.279 | 5 | R |
| Mg | 177 | mg/kg | 156 – 197 | 12 | I |
| Mn | 9.6 | mg/kg | 8.9 – 10.3 | 19 | I |
| Sc | 0.014 | mg/kg | 0.013 – 0.016 | 12 | I |
| Se | 1.00 | mg/kg | 0.80 – 1.20 | 10 | I |
| Zn | 167 | mg/kg | 159 – 174 | 24 | R |
(Value) Mass fraction calculated as a mean of the accepted laboratory means
(N) Number of accepted laboratory means which are used to calculate the recommended or information values and their respective confidence intervals
(R/I/C) Classification of assigned property value (Recommended/Information/Certified)
(*) As inorganic Hg
The values listed above were established on the basis of statistically valid results submitted by laboratories which had participated in an international intercomparison exercise organized by the IAEA Section of Nutritional and Health Related Environmental Studies.
