Identification of a possible biomarker for colophony exposure.
Colophony is known to cause occupational asthma and dermatitis. Biological monitoring may be useful in assessing exposure. This paper describes a method for the analysis of dehydroabietic acid in urine and its potential use as a marker of colophony exposure. The method involves hydrolysis, solvent extraction, derivatization and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twenty-eight workers from a soldering factory in South Africa were monitored. Results showed that levels of dehydroabietic acid in urine may be correlated with a subjective assessment of exposure.
Jones
K
K
Health & Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK. katherine.jones@hsl.gov.uk
Garfitt
S J
SJ
Calverley
A
A
Channa
K
K
Cocker
J
J
D045784:Abietanes; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000652:urine*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding
D045784:Abietanes; D015415:Biomarkers; D004224:Diterpenes; D012116:Resins, Plant; C013913:dehydroabietic acid; C013893:rosin