Occupational e-Waste Study

HBM4EU projectOccupational e-Waste Study

SOP 7:

Standard operating procedure for the

collection of hair samples

Emilie Hardy (LNS, LU), Radu Duca (LNS, LU)

Contributions received from: Karen Galea (IOM, UK) and Adrian Covaci (UAntwerpen, BE)

HBM4EU 2021 Virtual Training School January 14, 2021

1

Hair matrix… Why ?

• Wider time window than blood or urine

HBM4EU 2021 virtual training school, January 14, 2021

SOP 7: Hair samples collection

• Detailed history of exposure (if segmented)

• Information on the level of exposure to metals and someorganic compounds

Ref: Recent Technological Developments inMALDI-MSI Based Hair Analysis, B Flinders, TBassindale, RMA Heeren, Emerging Technologiesfor the Analysis of Forensic Traces (p.133-149),2019

Drug, pollutantor other…

Sweat

Environment

Sebum

Sampling time

Exposure timescale

few hours

few days

few weeks or even months

1cm = 1month

2

Hair matrix… Why ?



Hair samples from the e-waste study will be analyzed for:

• Metals: Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb

• Brominated flame retardants: PBDEs

• Polychlorobiphenyls: PCBs

3

SOP Description



When ?→ At the beginning of the workweek

AND before the work shift

Where ?→ In an clean area considered to be free of potential

contamination

Materials:

Powder-free disposable nitrile gloves

Titanium scissors

Paper tissues or cotton

70%

isopropanolAlcoholic solution

Ruler or measuring tape

Hair clipKitchen twine or surgical rope

A couple of mirrors Sample record sheets, envelopes, labels, pens….

4

SOP Description



• Inform the participant

BEFORE the sampling:

• Clean/disinfect sampling material

• Put a pair of new gloves

• Identify the sampling area and measure the hair length

≤ 6 cm

> 6 cm

Procedure 1

Procedure 2

5

SOP Description



Procedure 1 (≤ 6 cm):

Minimum 500 mg

Conditioning and identification

Sampling

Sample record sheet filling

6

SOP Description



Procedure 2 (> 6 cm):

Minimum 500 mg

Conditioning and identification Sample record sheet filling

1-2cm

Sampling

7

SOP Description



Identification

E-LU-01-001-H1

E-waste (E)

Country ID (XX)(ISO Alpha-2 country code)

Country ISO Alpha-2 country codesBelgium BEFinland FIGermany DELatvia LVLuxembourg LUPoland PLPortugal PTThe Netherlands NLUnited Kingdom UK

Company ID (XX)

Participant ID (XXX)

Sample type (H for hair) + Sample number

8

SOP Description



Sampling record sheet

Sample characteristics

Sampling conditions

Sample identification

Sample previous treatments

9

SOP Description



• Suggest the participant to check in a mirror to be reassured

AFTER the sampling:

• Clean/disinfect sampling material

• Dispose of the gloves

• Ensure the sample record sheet is properly and completely filled

• Store the samples at room temperature in a dry and darkenvironment

• Ship the samples once they are all collected

10

Important details & key points



• Avoid EXTERNAL contamination

• Keep the hair fibers ALIGNED and SECURED in the envelope

• Use TITANIUM scissors

• Ensure the identification code is UNIQUE and clearly WRITTENon the sample

• Fill PROPERLY and COMPLETELY the sampling record sheet

• Ensure the collection of MINIMUM 500 mg of hair

• Identify ROOT end of the hair strand (hair length > 6cm)

• Cut the hair AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE to the scalp

11

Questions/Contacts



Thank you for your attention!

CONTACTS:

MSc Emilie M. HARDY, Technical Manager, Environmental Hygiene and Human Biomonitoring Unit, LNS [email protected]

Dr. Radu-Corneliu DUCAHead of Environmental Hygiene and Human Biomonitoring Unit, LNS Luxembourg.

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Occupational e-Waste Study