Comparison and evaluation of urinary biomarkers for occupational exposure to spray adhesives containing 1-bromopropane

Toxicol Mech Methods. 2012 Sep;22(7):526-32. doi: 10.3109/15376516.2012.686536. Epub 2012 May 29.

Abstract

Three metabolites of 1-bromopropane (1-BP) were measured in urine samples collected from 30 workers exposed to 1-BP at two facilities making furniture seat cushions and evaluated for use as biomarkers of exposure. The mercapturic acid metabolite, N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-l-cysteine (AcPrCys), 3-bromopropionic acid (3-BPA), and bromide ion levels (Br(-)) were quantitated for this evaluation. The high exposure group consisted of 13 workers employed as adhesive sprayers who assembled foam cushions using 1-BP containing spray adhesives and the low exposure group consisted of 17 non-sprayers, who worked in various jobs without spraying adhesives. All workers' urine voids were collected over the same 48 h period at work, and at home before bedtime, and upon awakening. Urinary AcPrCys and Br(-) levels were elevated in the sprayers compared to that of non-sprayers. Following HPLC-MS/MS analysis of mercapturic acid metabolite levels, 50 urine samples having the highest levels of AcPrCys were analyzed for 3-BPA. No 3-BPA was detected in any of the samples. The data collected from this study demonstrate that AcPrCys and Br(-) are effective biomarkers of 1-BP exposure, but 3-BPA is not.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adhesives / chemistry
  • Adhesives / pharmacokinetics*
  • Adult
  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / chemistry
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / urine*
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Biotransformation
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated / chemistry
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated / urine
  • Male
  • Manufactured Materials
  • Molecular Structure
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Workplace / standards

Substances

  • Adhesives
  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Biomarkers
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated
  • 1-bromopropane