Benzene, toluene, o‐xylene, m‐xylene, p‐xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, isopropylbenzene (cumene) – Determination of aromatic compounds in urine by dynamic headspace GC‐MS [Biomonitoring Methods, 2018]

Abstract

The working group „Analyses in Biological Materials“ of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area verified the presented biomonitoring method. The analytical method described hereinafter permits the simultaneous determination of the following unmetabolised aromatic compounds in urine: benzene, toluene, o‐xylene, m‐xylene, p‐xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene and isopropylbenzene (cumene). Prior to the determination of the analytes by GC‐MS, the analytes are extracted and enriched using ITEX (In Tube Extraction) or SPDE (Solid Phase Dynamic Extraction). To this end, the urine samples are incubated at 50 °C, the analytes extracted from the gas phase and then the enriched analytes are transferred to the gas chromatograph and analysed using mass spectrometry. Calibration standards are prepared in water and processed in the same way as the samples to be analysed. Deuterated benzene is used as internal standard. The method was extensively validated and the reliability data were confirmed by an independent laboratory, which has established and cross‐checked the whole procedure.