Determination of volatile organohalogen compounds in human urine

A variant of thin layer headspace (TLHS) analysis with autogenous generation of the liquid sorbent was applied for the determination of volatile organohalogen compounds in urine. The analytes were isolated from the matrix at an elevated temperature in a TLHS column. They were then transported by a stream of purified air to a second TLHS column kept at sub-ambient temperature. Water vapor contained in the air condensed in the second column together with the analytes. The effluent from the second column was analyzed by direct aqueous injection gas chromatography with electron capture detection (DAI-GC-ECD). It has been established that the complex urine matrix did not affect the results at a 95% confidence level. Volatile organohalogen compounds were detected in urine of employees of a chemical laboratory where halogenated solvents were used. The urine of people who were not exposed contained insignificant or undetectable levels of these compounds. Urine levels of target analytes were the higher, the longer a person was exposed to them. The results obtained confirm that the urinary system participates in excretion of volatile organohalogen compounds.