Summary
A gas chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of trichloroethylene (TRI), trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in blood and TRI, TCE in exhaled air is described. The determination in blood is based on the relative volatility of TRI, TCE and TCA methylester, which offers the possibility of headspace analysis. The gaschromatograph is equipped with an electron capture detector.
Exhaled air, collected during 1 min normal breathing is analysed for TRI and TCE under the same gas chromatographic conditions as the headspace vapour of blood.
After exposure of 4 volunteers to 70 and 140 ppm TRI a close relation over a wide range between the concentrations TRI and TCE in blood and in exhaled air is obtained. The TRI resp. TCE concentration in blood is about 23 resp. 15.000 times higher than in exhaled air.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Breimer, D., Ketelaars, H.C., van Rossum, J.M.: Gas chromatographic determination of chloral hydrate, trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid in blood and in urine employing head-space analysis. J.Chromatogr.88, 55–63 (1974)
Ehrner-Samuel, H., Balmér, K., Thorsell, W.: Determination of trichloroacetic acid in urine by a gas chromatographic method. Amer.Industr.Hyg. Ass.J. 34, 93–96 (1973)
Ertle, T., Henschler, D., Müller, G., Spassowski, M.: Metabolism of trichloroethylene in man. I.The significance of trichloroethanol in longterm exposure conditions. Arch.Toxikol.29, 171–188 (1972)
Herbolsheimer, R., Funk, L.: Gaschromatographische Bestimmung von Trichloräthylen, Trichloräthanol, Trichloressigsäure und Äthanol in einem Analysengang aus einer Probe. Arch.Toxikol.32, 209–215 (1974)
Kimmerle, G., Eben, A.: Metabolism, excretion and toxicology of trichloroethylene after inhalation. II.Experimental human exposure. Arch. Toxikol.30, 127–138 (1973)
Müller, G., Spassowski, M., Henschler, D.: Trichloroethylene exposure and trichloroethylene metabolites in urine and blood. Arch.Toxikol.29, 335–340 (1972)
Müller, G., Spassowski, M., Henschler, D.: Metabolism of trichloroethylene in man. II.Pharmacokinetics of metabolites. Arch.Toxikol.32, 283–295 (1974)
Mandel, J.: The statistical analysis of experimental data. New York: Interscience 1964
Ogata, H., Saeki, T.: Measurement of chloralhydrate, trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid and monochloroacetic acid in the serum and the urine by gas chromatography. Int.Arch.Arbeitsmed.33, 49–58 (1974)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Monster, A.C., Boersma, G. Simultaneous determination of trichloroethylene and metabolites in blood and exhaled air by gas chromatography. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 35, 155–163 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01848261
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01848261