Determination of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by analysis of human urine

A method for biological monitoring of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been developed. The analytical procedure includes extraction of PAH and PAH metabolites from urine using commercial cartridges containing C18-modified silica, reduction of metabolites to PAH by hydriodic acid and subsequent analysis of the PAH by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The method is applied to urine samples from an occupationally non-exposed control group and from aluminum workers with high exposure to PAH. In the control group urine extracts from smokers show a significantly higher level of PAH than from non-smokers. The high concentrations of PAH found in the working atmospheres of aluminum plants are not reflected to a corresponding extent in the excretion of PAH in urine.