title: 3,4 Dichloroaniline-haemoglobin adducts in humans: preliminary data on agricultural workers exposed to propanil.
abstract: Propanil is one of the major herbicides used on rice-paddies and is thought to produce adverse health effects through the action of its metabolite 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA). T he feasibility of monitoring human exposure to propanil on the basis of 3,4-DCA adducts to haemoglobin (Hb) was investigated. We developed a method based on gas chromatography negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (NICI-GC-MS) to quantify 3,4-DCA released from human Hb after alkaline hydrolysis of the protein. 3,4-DCA-Hb adducts were identified in agricultural workers exposed to propanil and were detectable even 4 months after the last herbicide application. Urine samples collected at the same time had no measurable level of 3,4-DCA. 3,4-DCA-Hb adducts might be useful for monitoring human exposure to 3,4-DCA from agricultural sources.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pastorelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catenacci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guanci
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valoti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minoia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Airoldi