Accumulation of carbon disulphide metabolites

Biological monitoring for carbon disulphide (CS2) exposure performed using the iodine-azide test (IAT) and 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) test in urinalysis of workers with high exposure to CS2 (112-142 mg/m3, n = 34), workers with low exposure (4-7 mg/m3, n = 16), and non-exposed university workers (n = 10). Pre-shift and post-shift urine specimens were collected on three consecutive days in the exposed and for only one day in the non-exposed. According to the findings the specificity and the sensitivity seem to be low for the IAT and high for the TTCA test. Contrary to a previous report all pre-shift urine samples showed negative IATs. The TTCA test was positive in pre-shift urine even after 32 to 63.5 h without exposure, and values tended to increase during consecutive days of exposure in highly exposed workers. The possible health implications of these findings should be further investigated.