Degradation of Fingernail Composition from Exposure to Industrial Chemicals

The application of fingernails as biomarkers have increased within forensic science as a better tissue sample to analyze when it comes to chemical exposure and biological substances being accumulated within fingernails. Due to their structure and properties, they have the ability to retain a discrete record of detailed information on drug use, pathology, diet and location history as well as exposure to explosives residues, occupational chemicals or other pollutants. This research observed how certain industrial chemicals affect the composition of fingernails when exposed to them for a certain prolonged period of time Hydrochloric acid was the most destructive chemical used, degrading fingernail samples within a week. Sodium hydroxide was the second most destructive chemical, where samples after week 1 became degraded. Sulfuric acid was the third most destructive chemical, degrading samples after week 3. Paint and cyanoacrylate did not degrade samples but concealed all morphological features. Acetone and bleach had an insignificant effect in degradation