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Published on: March 9, 2018
Exhaled breath condensate as matrix for toluene detection: a preliminary study
M Maniscalco1, G De Laurentiis, C Pentella
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, A. O. Monaldi, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy. mauromaniscalco@hotmail.com
Summary
Exhaled breath condensate shows promise for measuring toluene exposure. This method detected toluene in breath samples after exposure, correlating well with environmental levels and urinary metabolites.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Toluene exposure assessment is crucial for occupational and environmental health.
- Current methods for toluene monitoring can be invasive or complex.
- Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) offers a non-invasive matrix for volatile organic compound analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate exhaled breath condensate as a suitable matrix for quantitative toluene analysis.
- To assess the correlation between environmental toluene levels and EBC toluene concentrations.
- To investigate the relationship between EBC toluene and urinary hippuric acid, a toluene metabolite.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy subjects were exposed to a controlled toluene concentration for 20 minutes.
- Exhaled breath condensate samples were collected pre- and post-exposure.
- Toluene in EBC was quantified using head-space gas-chromatography mass spectrometry.
- Urinary hippuric acid levels were measured to assess exposure.
Main Results:
- Toluene was detectable in all post-exposure EBC samples (median 0.35 µg/L).
- EBC toluene measurements showed linear calibration curves comparable to water standards.
- Significant correlations were observed between environmental toluene, EBC toluene, and urinary hippuric acid levels.
Conclusions:
- Exhaled breath condensate is a promising, non-invasive matrix for assessing toluene exposure.
- Further research is needed to fully establish EBC's application in human toluene monitoring.
- This method could offer a simpler alternative for exposure assessment in clinical and occupational settings.
