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Biomarkers of exposure in Monday morning urine samples as a long-term measure of exposure to aromatic diisocyanates

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Abstract

Purpose

Exposure to diisocyanates is a known occupational hazard. One method for monitoring occupational exposure is by analyzing biomarkers in hydrolyzed urine and plasma. The half-life of the biomarkers in plasma is about 3 weeks, and the urinary elimination is divided into one fast (hours) and one slow phases (weeks). Polymorphism in glutathione S-transferase enzymes (GST) is earlier shown to modify the metabolism. The aim of the study was to assess whether biomarkers of exposure in urine collected after two non-exposed days correlate with levels in plasma and whether they can be used as a measure for long-term exposure to aromatic diisocyanates and further whether polymorphisms in GST influenced the correlations.

Methods

Biomarkers of exposure was analyzed in urine and blood samples collected from 24 workers, exposed to at least one of toluene-, methylenediphenyl- or naphthalene diisocyanate, on a Monday morning after at least two unexposed days. Moreover, genotype was determined for 19 of the workers.

Results

The corresponding specific gravity-adjusted biomarkers in urine and plasma levels for the different diisocyanates correlated well (r between 0.689 and 0.988). When taking all samples together, the correlation coefficient was 0.926. Polymorphism in the GSTM1 genotype seemed to modify the association.

Conclusion

Urine collected after two unexposed days can possibly be used as long-term biomarker of exposure for aromatic diisocyanates.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this work was obtained from the Swedish Council for Work Life and Social Research. The authors also thank Mr. Christian Mattsson, Ms. Eva Assarsson and Mrs. Karin Paulsson for skillful technical and medical assistance and the workers in the study for invaluable participation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, Lund University, S-221 85, Lund, Sweden

    Håkan Tinnerberg, Karin Broberg, Christian H. Lindh & Bo A. G. Jönsson

Authors
  1. Håkan Tinnerberg
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  2. Karin Broberg
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  3. Christian H. Lindh
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  4. Bo A. G. Jönsson
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Correspondence to Håkan Tinnerberg.

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Tinnerberg, H., Broberg, K., Lindh, C.H. et al. Biomarkers of exposure in Monday morning urine samples as a long-term measure of exposure to aromatic diisocyanates. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87, 365–372 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0872-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0872-y

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