title: Measurement of benzylmercapturic acid in human urine by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry.
abstract: A method based on liquid chromatography (reversed-phase)-electrospray (negative) ionization-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry [LC-ESI(-)-MS-MS], in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, was developed for determination of urinary benzylmercapturic acid (BMA). Isotope dilution through introduction of (13)C(6)-labeled BMA was employed as an internal standard, achieving intra- and interrun precision ranges of 2.32-2.95% and 2.24-4.97%, respectively. The calibration curve obtained with BMA-spiked blank human urine was linear from 0.5-120.0 microg/L; the correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.999. The method limit of quantification was 0.5 microg/L; mean BMA recovery was 97.56%. The analytical method was used to analyze urine samples collected from workers involved in the manufacture of adhesive tape who had been exposed to toluene. The method appears to provide sensitive, specific, and reliable testing for urinary BMA to determine occupational exposure to toluene.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jui-Shu
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Yi-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yee-Chung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jenn-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: Tung-Sheng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Shih
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D000269:Adhesives; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D012997:Solvents / Q000378:metabolism; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013624:Taiwan; D014050:Toluene / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D012997:Solvents; D014050:Toluene; D000111:Acetylcysteine; C029319:S-benzyl-N-acetyl-L-cysteine