Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric determination of chlorophenols in the urine of sawmill workers with past use of chlorophenol-containing anti-stain agents

Abstract

The aim of this work was to establish whether workers at sawmills where chlorophenol-containing anti-stain agents had been previously used were still exposed to chlorophenols. A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) procedure for the determination of chlorophenols in urine was developed. Chlorophenols were determined from hydrolysed urine as acetylated derivatives and determined by GC-MS using selected ion monitoring (SIM). Isolation of the chlorophenols with toluene gave the best extraction efficiencies (65-119%). Stability tests at -20 degrees C showed no degradation of the chlorophenols studied during 6 months. The limit of quantification was 3.6 ng mg-1 creatinine for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 5.5 ng mg-1 for 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and 3.6 ng mg-1 for pentachlorophenol. Traces of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol were found both in previously exposed workers and in non-exposed controls, the urinary concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 15.9 ng mg-1 creatinine. The concentrations of urinary chlorophenols in previously exposed workers were of the same magnitude as those found in non-exposed controls and in the general population. The results show that it is unlikely that sawmill workers would be currently occupationally exposed to chlorophenols or polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans via a contaminated work environment.

Mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction based on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated nano-magnets Fe3O4 for the determination of chlorophenols in environmental water samples coupled with liquid chromatography/spectrophotometry detection

“…Therefore, compared with the traditional SPE method, the novel SPE method based Fe 3 O 4 NPs would have higher extraction efficiency and enrichment factor. Chlorophenols (CPs), used extensively as preservative agents, fungicides, pesticides, disinfectants, and intermediates in many industries, are some of the most important contaminants present in the natural waters and soils [26][27][28]. In addition, CPs are generated during the chlorine treatment of drinking water [29].…”

Direct analysis of eight chlorophenols in urine by large volume injection online turbulent flow solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography with multiple wavelength ultraviolet detection

“…Studies on human or environmental exposures to these highly toxic compounds are ongoing [14][15][16]. Since human exposures to these compounds can be assessed by measuring them in urine, CPs in urine were frequently analyzed and monitored as xenobiotic indicators for metabolism studies or occupational exposures [17][18][19].…”

Accurate analysis of trace pentachlorophenol in textiles by isotope dilution liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry

“…Many methods for the analysis of PCP residue have been reported, including gas chromatography (GC) [3], GC mass spectrometry (GC/MS) [4][5][6], liquid chromatography (LC) [7,8], LC/MS [9], and so on. LC tandem MS (LC/MS/ MS) was a newly developed technique in recent years and has been widely used for the measurement of PCP in environmental samples [10,11].…”