title: Multianalyte quantification of five sesqui- and ethyl ether oxy-mustard metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.
abstract: Sesqui- and oxy-mustards pose a significant threat to military forces and civilians because they are potent vesicants. We have developed an isotope-dilution high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method utilizing negative ion multiple reaction monitoring for the analysis of sesqui-mustard metabolites bis(2-hydroxyethylthio)alkanes (n = 1-5) and oxy-mustard metabolite bis(2-hydroxyethylthioethyl)ether in human urine. Relative standard deviations were < 10% and the reportable limits of detection were 1 ng/mL in 0.5 mL of urine. We applied this method to 100 samples collected from individuals with no known exposure to sesqui- or oxy-mustards, and no urines showed detectable levels of any of the analytes, suggesting that these metabolites may be used for monitoring exposure to sesqui- and oxy-mustards.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, USA.
authors.forename: Doris H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ash
authors.forename: Sharon W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lemire
authors.forename: Sara C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: McWilliams
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Barr
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D017633:Magnesium Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006878:Hydroxides; D017633:Magnesium Silicates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C005013:Florisil; D014025:Titanium; C039460:titanium trichloride; D009151:Mustard Gas; C029943:potassium hydroxide