Quantitative determination of urinary metabolites in subjects exposed to organic solvents

Most of the common organic solvents are excreted into urine as metabolites. A correlation exists for several organic solvents between the amount taken in and the amount of metabolites excreted. Many methods have been developed for the measurement of these urinary metabolites. The methods were classified into three group: colorimetry, gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The characteristics and availability of these methods in a laboratory for routine work were reviewed. The correction equation for the amounts of metabolites in spot urine is discussed.