Quantitative Plasma Biomarker Analysis in HDI Exposure Assessment

• Published in: The Annals of occupational hygiene Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 41 - 54
• Main Authors: Flack, Sheila L., Fent, Kenneth W., Trelles Gaines, Linda G., Thomasen, Jennifer M., Whittaker, Steve, Ball, Louise M., Nylander-French, Leena A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Air Pollutants, Occupational - metabolism; Air Pollutants, Occupational - toxicity; Albumins - analysis; Automobiles; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Cyanates - analysis; Cyanates - metabolism; Cyanates - toxicity; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Diamines - blood; Environmental Monitoring; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hemoglobins - analysis; Humans; Hydrolysis; Inhalation Exposure - analysis; Isocyanates; Linear Models; Male; Medical sciences; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Original; Paint; Protective Devices - utilization; Skin Absorption; Time Factors; Toxicology; Various organic compounds; Workplace - standards; United States; North America; America; 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI); 1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HDA); biomarker; plasma; dermal exposure; inhalation exposure; Evaluation; Biological fluid; Biological marker; Paint; Occupational exposure; Commercial garage; Inhalation; Blood plasma; Percutaneous route; Diamine; Organic diisocyanate; Occupational medicine; Topical administration; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0003-4878; 1475-3162; 1475-3162
• DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mep069

Quantification of amines in biological samples is important for evaluating occupational exposure to diisocyanates. In this study, we describe the quantification of 1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HDA) levels in hydrolyzed plasma of 46 spray painters applying 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-containing paint in vehicle repair shops collected during repeated visits to their workplace and their relationship with dermal and inhalation exposure to HDI monomer. HDA was detected in 76% of plasma samples, as heptafluorobutyryl derivatives, and the range of HDA concentrations was ≤0.02-0.92 μg l−1. After log-transformation of the data, the correlation between plasma HDA levels and HDI inhalation exposure measured on the same workday was low (N = 108, r = 0.22, P = 0.026) compared with the correlation between plasma HDA levels and inhalation exposure occurring ∼20 to 60 days before blood collection (N = 29, r = 0.57, P = 0.0014). The correlation between plasma HDA levels and HDI dermal exposure measured on the same workday, although statistically significant, was low (N = 108, r = 0.22, P = 0.040) while the correlation between HDA and dermal exposure occurring ∼20 to 60 days before blood collection was slightly improved (N = 29, r = 0.36, P = 0.053). We evaluated various workplace factors and controls (i.e. location, personal protective equipment use and paint booth type) as modifiers of plasma HDA levels. Workers using a downdraft-ventilated booth had significantly lower plasma HDA levels relative to semi-downdraft and crossdraft booth types (P = 0.0108); this trend was comparable to HDI inhalation and dermal exposure levels stratified by booth type. These findings indicate that HDA concentration in hydrolyzed plasma may be used as a biomarker of cumulative inhalation and dermal exposure to HDI and for investigating the effectiveness of exposure controls in the workplace.