Quantification of 13 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human urine by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–isotope dilution mass spectrometry

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta Vol. 631; no. 2; pp. 196 - 205
• Main Authors: Campo, Laura, Mercadante, Rosa, Rossella, Federica, Fustinoni, Silvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 12.01.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Biological monitoring; Calibration; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Deuterium - chemistry; Environmental Pollutants - chemistry; Environmental Pollutants - urine; Exact sciences and technology; Gas chromatographic methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Global environmental pollution; Humans; Isotopes; Male; Pollution; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - chemistry; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - urine; Reproducibility of Results; Salts - chemistry; Sensitivity and Specificity; Solid Phase Microextraction - methods; Solid-phase microextraction; Spectrometric and optical methods; Staining and Labeling; Temperature; Time Factors; Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Solid-phase microextraction; Biological monitoring; Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Solid gas chromatography; Microanalysis; Coatings; Sample preparation; Detection limit; Monitoring; Quantitative analysis; Human; Urine; Stability; Hydrocarbon; Isotope dilution; Desorption; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Thickness; Solid phase microextraction; Gas chromatography; Ionic strength; Simultaneous measurement; Environment; Headspace; Mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2008.10.041

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental pollutants in both living and working environments. The aim of this study was the development of a headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–isotope dilution mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC–IDMS) method for the simultaneous quantification of 13 PAHs in urine samples. Different parameters affecting PAHs extraction by HS-SPME were considered and optimized: type/thickness of fiber coatings, extraction temperature/time, desorption temperature/time, ionic strength and sample agitation. The stability of spiked PAHs solutions and of real urine samples stored up to 90 days in containers of different materials was evaluated. In the optimized method, analytes were absorbed for 60 min at 80 °C in the sample headspace with a 100 μm polydimethylsiloxane fiber. The method is very specific, with linear range from the limit of quantification to 8.67 × 10 3 ng L −1, a within-run precision of <20% and a between-run precision of <20% for 2-, 3- and 4-ring compounds and of <30% for 5-ring compounds, trueness within 20% of the spiked concentration, and limit of quantification in the 2.28–2.28 × 10 1 ng L −1 range. An application of the proposed method using 15 urine samples from subjects exposed to PAHs at different environmental levels is shown.