Fatty acid ethyl esters in scalp, pubic, axillary, beard and body hair as markers for alcohol misuse

Aims: This study examined the possibility of using hair samples other than scalp hair for analysis of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) as markers for alcohol misuse. Methods: Samples of scalp and pubic hair and, if available, axillary, beard and body hair of one teetotaller, five moderate social drinkers and 22 fatalities were analysed for FAEE by head-space solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The sum of the concentrations of ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl oleate and ethyl stearate (C-FAEE) in the hair samples was compared with information about the drinking behaviour of the individuals. Results: Although there were large differences in the analyte concentrations in hair from different sites in the same individual, cases of chronic excessive alcohol consumption were characterized by C-FAEE > 1.0 ng/mg in almost all samples. Conclusion: FAEE concentrations in hair other than scalp hair can be used as markers of chronic alcohol misuse.