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HUMAN BLOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA SCREENING METHOD FOR PESTICIDES AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL COMPOUNDS USING LIQUID EXTRACTION AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS
Citation:
Liu, S. AND J D. Pleil. HUMAN BLOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA SCREENING METHOD FOR PESTICIDES AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL COMPOUNDS USING LIQUID EXTRACTION AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY: B BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 769(1):155-167, (2002).
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this task is to develop state-of-the-art methods for measuring xenobiotic compounds, to include the isolation of the analyte from the appropriate matrix (extraction), preconcentration (typically sorbent-based), and analysis via GC/MS and/or LC/MS. Once established, these methods will be applied in small scale pilot studies or demonstration projects. Particular emphasis will be placed on methods which are readily transferable to other laboratories, including those within the Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (HEASD), the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL), other EPA Laboratories, Program Offices, Regions, and academic institutions.
Specific objectives of this task include the following:
1) Development of GC/MS and LC/MS methods for the measurement of key xenobiotic compounds and their metabolites (to include the pyrethroid pesticides, perfluorinated organic compounds, and the BFRs) in relevant environmental and biological matrices.
2) Development of efficient low cost methods for the extraction and clean up of these compounds collected from relevant matrices.
3) Determination of xenobiotic compound and metabolite concentrations in samples derived from laboratory and field monitoring studies to help assess exposures and evaluate associated risks.
Description:
Screening assessment methods have been developed for semi- and non-volatile persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for human blood and solid environmental media. The specific methodology is developed for measuring the presence of "native" compounds, specifically, a variety of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The method is demonstrated on anonymous Red Cross blood samples as well as two potential environmental sources, tracked in soil and dog hair. This work is based on previously developed methods for semi-volatile hydrocarbon exposure from fuels usage and similarly employs liquid solvent extraction, evaporative volume reduction, and subsequent specialized gas chromatography - mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Standard curves, estimates of recovery efficiency, and specific GC-MS SIM quantization methods were developed for common pesticides including diazinon, aldrin, chlorpyrifos, malathion, dieldrin, DDT, permethrin, cyhalothrin, and cypermethrin, and for seven selected PCBs. Trace levels of certain PCBs and pesticides such as permethrin, dieldrin, malathion, lindane, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos were tentatively identified in anonymous blood samples as well as in two potential environmental sources, tracked in soil and dog hair. The method provides a simple screening procedure for various media and a variety of common organic pollutants without extensive sample preparation. It is meant to complement and augment data from more specific or complex methodology, to provide initial broad spectrum guidance for designing targeted experiments, and to provide confirmatory evidence for the ususal metabolic biomarker measurements made to assess human exposure.
This work was funded by the National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through Contract 68-D5-0049 with ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.