title: Simultaneous determination of nicotine and PAH metabolites in human hair specimen: a potential methodology to assess tobacco smoke contribution in PAH exposure.
abstract: The present methodology was developed to simultaneously assess chronic exposure to PAHs and to tobacco from the analysis of one hair specimen per examined individual. The method is a two step extraction of twelve mono-hydroxy-PAHs and of nicotine, and their separate analysis by optimized methods using gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry. After method validation and assessment of the hair decontamination procedure, 105 hair specimens from smokers and non-smokers were analyzed. All the hair samples tested positive for nicotine. Median concentration was 10.7ng/mg for smokers and 0.5ng/mg for non-smokers. 70% of the samples tested positive for OH-PAHs. The most common one was 2-naphthol (61%) and its concentration was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers (median: 111 vs 70pmol/g, p=0.006). 2-OH-benzo(c)phenanthrene and 6-OH-chrysene were only detected once in a non-smoker's hair. The concentration of the sum of all PAH-metabolites ranged from 24 to 67190pmol/g (median: 118pmol/g). Only six samples tested positive for more than two different metabolites. The simultaneous detection of nicotine and OH-PAHs in hair is possible and provides reliable results. This represents a useful tool for the accurate biomonitoring of chronic exposure to PAH and correct identification of the sources of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Analytical Human Biomonitoring - CRP-Sante, Université du Luxembourg, 162A avenue de la Faïencerie, L-1511, Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: Brice M R
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Appenzeller
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathon
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schummer
authors.forename: Ala'a
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkerwi
authors.forename: Marie-Lise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lair
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine