Measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds in Human Blood

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an important public health problem throughout the developed world. Many important questions remain to be addressed in assessing exposure to these compounds. Because they are ubiquitous and highly volatile, special techniques must be applied in the analytical determination of VOCs. The analytical methodology chosen to measure toxicants in biological materials must be well validated and carefully carried out; poor quality assurance can lead to invalid results that can have a direct bearing on treating exposed persons. The pharmacokinetics of VOCs show that most of the internal dose of these compounds is quickly eliminated, but there is a fraction that is only slowly removed, and these compounds may bioaccumulate. VOCs are found in the general population at the high parts-per-trillion range, but some people with much higher levels have apparently been exposed to VOC sources away from the workplace. Smoking is the most significant confounder to internal dose levels of VOCs and must be considered when evaluating suspected cases of exposure.

Headspace needle-trap analysis of priority volatile organic compounds from aqueous samples: Application to the analysis of natural and waste waters

“…The US Environmental Protection Agency's (US-EPA) National Water substance abuse [2]. The ability to monitor VOC's at low levels in environmental 48 waters will greatly facilitate the study of their possible effects on human health.…”

Introduction to biomonitoring

“…In NHANES II an EPA contract laboratory attempted, with mixed success, to measure several chlorinated phenolic compounds in urine. 9 As part of its Priority Toxicants Reference Range Study of NHANES III, CDC measured 32 volatile organic compounds in blood 10 and several pesticides or pesticide metabolites in urine. 11 The samples for these measurements were from about 1000 adult volunteers, and the study was not designed to be from a representative population.…”

Comparison of Medical and Forensic Profiling Potential of Volatile Biomarkers from Different Biological Specimens from Individuals and Across Populations

“…When increased levels of volatile aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers are present in most human blood, they are indicative of occupational or environmental VOC exposures and/or smoking 16,[61][62][63][64] . Benzene and toluene concentrations in the blood of smokers (median concentration of 493 ng/l and 2001 ng/l for benzene and toluene, respectively) have been reported to be significantly different (p<0.0001 for benzene, p<0.05 for toluene)from those of non-smokers (median concentrations of 190 ng/l and 1141 ng/l for benzene and toluene, respectively) 61 .…”

“…Common names for some of the compounds are given in parentheses and italicized. Many of the presented compounds have been previously reported to be volatile emanation compounds of human skin 5,14,28,29,123 , saliva 127 , breath 44,48,97,128 , volatile constituents of human blood 18,62,66,67 , and urine [70][71][72] . Compounds denoted by "en" are possibly endogenous compounds, while compounds denoted by "ex" are possibly of exogenous origin.…”

“…Blood VOCs have been studied for the health effects of occupational and environmental exposures [61][62][63] . When increased levels of volatile aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers are present in most human blood, they are indicative of occupational or environmental VOC exposures and/or smoking 16,[61][62][63][64] .…”