Tape-strip sampling for measuring dermal exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate.
OBJECTIVE
This study describes the development and evaluation of a method for sampling layers of the stratum corneum for the quantitation of dermal exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI).


METHODS
HDI deposited on skin was collected by the removal of stratum corneum with adhesive tape, derivatized with 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, and quantitated as the urea derivative (HDIU) by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This LC-MS method was tested by analyzing tape spiked with HDI-containing products, then applied to tape samples collected from the skin of an auto-body shop worker exposed to polyurethane paint aerosols.


RESULTS
The limits of detection and quantitation were 20 and 50 fmol per injection, respectively. The recovery of HDI from the tape was 99.3% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 97.1-102]. HDIU was stable at -40 degrees C, degrading by 0.28% (95% CI 0.10-0.46) per day. Quantifiable amounts of HDI were observed in 42.6% of the first three successive tape-strip samples collected from 36 different sites on the skin of the worker. The amount of HDI recovered from the collection sites on skin, measured by summing the levels collected with three successive tape-strips, ranged from nondetectable to 1874 pmol.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that HDI on skin can be collected with tape-strips and quantified at occupational levels using LC-MS.
Fent
Kenneth W
KW
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Rosenau Hall CB #7431, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA.
Jayaraj
Karupiah
K
Gold
Avram
A
Ball
Louise M
LM
Nylander-French
Leena A
LA
D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003485:Cyanates / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D017953:Isocyanates; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*
D003485:Cyanates; D017953:Isocyanates; C015262:1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate