title: Using the blood concentration of 2,5-dimethylfuran as a marker for smoking.
abstract: Correct analysis of whole blood volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in evaluating possible exposure situations requires differentiation of smokers from nonsmokers. Whole blood concentrations of 2,5-dimethylfuran are determined using an internal standard method, and the concentrations of this compound are evaluated as a marker for smoking in exposure-study subjects. Results indicate that the concentration of 2,5-dimethylfuran can be adequately determined in whole blood by a method already in use for determining VOCs in blood. The whole blood concentration of 2,5-dimethylfuran was an excellent predictor of smoking when compared with positive responses about smoking on questionnaires. Using a detection limit of 0.024 ppb, 2,5-dimethylfuran concentrations in blood correctly identified the smoking status of 96.4% of the subjects in this study. The blood 2,5-dimethylfuran concentration was linearly related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. This method is advantageous since blood 2,5-dimethylfuran concentrations can be determined using the same method used to determine concentrations of other VOCs, thus obviating the need for additional analytical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Health Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGeehin
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005663:Furans / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005663:Furans; D015386:Hazardous Substances; C037555:2,5-dimethylfuran