Heavy metals in Beethoven's hair may explain his deafness

High levels of heavy metals detected in Ludwig van Beethoven's hair reveal that he may have had lead poisoning, possibly contributing to his deafness and other illnesses.

- JENNIFER NALEWICKI

Researchers analysed DNA in two authenticated locks of the German composer's hair and discovered that they contained alarmingly high concentrations of lead, as well as high levels of arsenic and mercury. One lock contained 380 micrograms of lead per gram of hair, while the second had 258 micrograms per gram of hair - levels today would be closer to four micrograms or less. His hair also contained 13 times the normal level of arsenic and four times the typical level of mercury. "These are the highest values in hair I've ever seen," Paul Jannetto, a pathologist at the Mayo Clinic, said. "We get samples from around the world, and these values are an order of magnitude higher."