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Hexachlorocyclohexanes in human blood serum
R Otero1, M Santiago-Silva, J O Grimalt
1Department of Environmental Chemistry (CID-CSIC), Catalonia, Spain.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|August 22, 1997
Summary
A new method accurately measures hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in human serum. Beta-HCH was found to accumulate selectively, suggesting further toxicological studies are warranted.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) are persistent organochlorine pollutants.
- Human exposure to HCHs is a public health concern.
- Accurate and sensitive detection methods are crucial for exposure assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simplified, sensitive method for determining trace HCH concentrations in human sera.
- To analyze a large number of human serum samples for HCH isomers.
- To investigate the selective accumulation of HCH isomers in human populations.
Main Methods:
- Acid digestion (conc. H2SO4) with an internal standard (1,2,4,5-tetrabromobenzene, TBB) for sample preparation.
- Gas chromatography (GC) with DB-5 columns for isomer separation.
- Detection using electron-capture detection (ECD) and negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (NICI-MS).
Main Results:
- The developed method allows for the determination of trace HCH concentrations (ng/ml) in human sera.
- Good recoveries were achieved using acid digestion and TBB as an internal standard.
- Beta-HCH was found to be selectively accumulated in human sera from a population near an organochlorinated solvent factory.
Conclusions:
- The simplified method is suitable for analyzing large sample sets.
- Beta-HCH accumulation in human sera warrants further investigation into its toxic effects.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring HCH exposure in populations near industrial sources.