title: Determination of Glucocorticoids in UPLC-MS in Environmental Samples from an Occupational Setting.
abstract: Occupational exposures to glucocorticoids are still a neglected issue in some work environments, including pharmaceutical plants. We developed an analytical method to quantify simultaneously 21 glucocorticoids using UPLC coupled with mass spectrometry to provide a basis to carry out environmental monitoring. Samples were taken from air, hand-washing tests, pad-tests and wipe-tests. This paper reports the contents of the analytical methodology, along with the results of this extensive environmental and personal monitoring of glucocorticoids. The method in UPLC-MS turned out to be suitable and effective for the aim of the study. Wipe-test and pad-test desorption was carried out using 50 mL syringes, a simple technique that saves time without adversely affecting analyte recovery. Results showed a widespread environmental pollution due to glucocorticoids. This is of particular concern. Evaluation of the dose absorbed by each worker and identification of a biomarker for occupational exposure will contribute to assessment and prevention of occupational exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oddone
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellinzona
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Tuccio
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grignani
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Center, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cottica
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Hospital Operating Unit of Occupational Medicine (UOOML), Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imbriani
references.citation: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2007;21(7):1289-96
references.pmid: 17340557
references.citation: Endocr Rev. 2012 Jun;33(3):378-455
references.pmid: 22419778
references.citation: Ann Occup Hyg. 2000 Oct;44(7):501-10
references.pmid: 11042251
references.citation: Br J Ind Med. 1982 May;39(2):179-82
references.pmid: 6461351
references.citation: J Environ Monit. 2004 Dec;6(12):979-84
references.pmid: 15568047
references.citation: Br Med J. 1978 Jan 14;1(6105):73-4
references.pmid: 620203
references.citation: Med Lav. 1977 May-Jun;68(3):167-77
references.pmid: 887054
references.citation: J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 1998 Aug 25;713(2):339-52
references.pmid: 9746249
references.citation: J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Nov;44(11):1075-82
references.pmid: 12448359
references.citation: Forensic Sci Int. 2000 Jan 10;107(1-3):381-8
references.pmid: 10689588
references.citation: Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 1998 Aug;61(2):194-201
references.pmid: 9702376