Determination of 2,5-hexanedione, a metabolite of n-hexane, in urine: evaluation and application of three analytical methods.
Three methods for the determination of 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) in urine were compared in order to assess their applicability for toxicokinetic studies and biological monitoring of occupational exposure to n-hexane. Two of them were based on derivatization, followed by gas chromatography and electron-capture detection. Of these two, one is a modification of the other, already published, method. The third one involves direct extraction of 2,5-HD followed by gas chromatography and flame-ionization detection. To determine 2,5-HD in urine of workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane, the most straightforward method, direct extraction of 2,5-HD from urine, has been proven to be the most suitable. However, in case of very low concentrations of 2,5-HD in urine, or analysis of small samples of blood, e.g. in kinetic studies, it is necessary to use a more sensitive procedure. The sensitivity of the methods based on the derivatization of 2,5-HD followed by electron-capture detection, was, as expected, much higher in terms of analytical reliability. By using these methods, however, precautions are necessary to avoid a matrix effect.
van Engelen
J G
JG
University of Amsterdam, Coronel Laboratory for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Human Toxicology, Netherlands.
Kezić
S
S
de Haan
W
W
Opdam
J J
JJ
de Wolff
F A
FA
D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006586:Hexanes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006588:Hexanones / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D006586:Hexanes; D006588:Hexanones; C026385:n-hexane; C011269:2,5-hexanedione