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Monitoring Heavy Metal Contaminants in the Human Hair Matrix: A Perspective for Cosmetic Safety Assessment
Conference
Session 2: Exposome impact on Skin & Hair
Day 1
5:10 pm
The human hair matrix is an effective tool for biomonitoring chronic or past exposure to
substances,including heavy metals. Unlike short-term indicators such as blood or urine, hair offers
an extended detection window, and segmental analysis enables reconstruction of exposure over
time. This makes it especially useful for evaluating the accumulation of contaminants potentially
linked to long-term use of cosmetic products. The aim of this study was to measure the average
concentration of heavy metals in a selected population to definereference levels and identify
potential buildup.
The study involved 15 healthy, non-smoking women aged 15–55 who do not live in highly polluted
urban areas. Hair samples, taken non-invasively from the back of the head, ensuredhigh
complianceand easy storage. Elemental analysis was performed using Energy Dispersive X-ray
Spectroscopy (EDX) combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
EDX is highly sensitive and allows simultaneous detection and quantification of a wide
rangeofheavy metals in very small amounts, providing percentage weight distribution (Wt%) withinthe hair matrix. This methodology offers a promising diagnostic tool for environmental exposure and
cosmeticsafety assessment. Future developments include applying the approach to 3D skin
models to furtherexplore absorption mechanisms.
Salvatore Del Prete
Service Biotech
Graduated in Medical Biotechnology at Federico II University with an internship in the
Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology under Prof. P. Formisano. Completed
post-graduate internships at CEINGE with Prof. Iolascon on Sec23B and a two-year
residency under Prof. V. Esposito in the Anatomy Department. Trained in TEM, STEM,
and confocal microscopy at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; participated in
six SOI training courses and served as instructor in two. Speaker at SEGMANT and other
scientific events. Holds master’s degrees in Microbiology and Parasitology, and in
Bioethics. CEO and founder of Service Biotech (2017), with 34 publications (H-index 9)
and four patents.
Service Biotech stems from the long experience of Prof. Antonio Del Prete, a pioneer in
the academic field of the clinical application of ultrastructural analysis directly on humans
using non-invasive methods: Salvatore Del Prete in 2017 by creating Service Biotech had
the intuition to broaden the scope of application of SEM, EDX and TEM technologies to
theanalysis of many types of biological samples and microorganisms in the human body.
Today, Service Biotech has rapidly established ourselves as a leader in our field as a
unique vertical integration, offering specialised services to a service company specialising
in 2D and 3D ultrastructural biology analysis to meet the R&D and QC needs of the
biotech, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and cosmetics industries as well as medical
professionals and CROs (clinical and non-clinical).
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