Determination of urinary 2, 5-hexanedione concentration by an improved analytical method as an index of exposure to n-hexane. Issue 8 (August 1991)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saito, I; Shibata, E; Huang, J; Hisanaga, N; Ono, Y; Takeuchi, Y
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 48:Issue 8(1991)
• Page Start: 568
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 1991-08
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.48.8.568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : 2, 5-Hexanedione is a main metabolite of n-hexane and is considered as the cause of n-hexane polyneuropathy. Therefore, it is useful to measure 2, 5-hexanedione for biological monitoring of exposure to n-hexane. The analytical methods existing for n-hexane metabolites, however, were controversial and not established enough. Hence, a simple and precise method for determination of urinary 2, 5-hexanedione has been developed. Five ml of urine was acidified to pH 0.5 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and heated for 30 minutes at 90-100 degrees C. After cooling in water, sodium chloride and dichloromethane containing internal standard were added. The sample was shaken and centrifuged. 2, 5-Hexanedione concentration in an aliquot of dichloromethane extract was quantified by gas chromatography using a widebore column (DB-1701). Urinary concentration of 2, 5-hexanedione showed a good correlation with exposure to n-hexane (n = 50, r = 0.973, p less than 0.001). This method is simple and precise for analysis of urinary 2, 5-hexanedione as an index of exposure to n-hexane.