Dispersive solid-phase extraction procedure coupled to UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis for the simultaneous determination of thirteen cytotoxic drugs in human urine.

A fast and easy tailored dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) procedure has been developed for the determination of 13 cytostatic drugs. Combined with a rapid and simultaneous ultra performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for residue identification and quantification in urine, it has been fully validated and tested to study a realistic situation in working environment. The target compounds were chosen from the most common classes used in hospitals.

Influence of genetic polymorphism on t,t-MA/S-PMA ratio in 301 benzene exposed subjects.

This study investigated the effect of polymorphic genes GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTA1, EHPX1, NQO1, CYP2E1, CYP1A and MPO on the urinary concentrations and ratio (R) of the benzene metabolites trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phenyl mercapturic acid (S-PMA) in 301 oil refinery workers. The metabolites' concentrations are lower and R is higher (100.66) in non-smokers (n=184) than in smokers (n=117, R=36.

Occupational exposure to complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds in ambient air: desorption from activated charcoal using accelerated solvent extraction can replace carbon disulfide?

A desorption study of 57 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been conducted by use of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Different solvents were tested to extract activated charcoal tubes with the objective of replacing carbon disulfide, used in official methods, because of its highly toxic health and environmental effects. Extraction conditions, for example temperature and number of cycles, were investigated and optimized.

DESI-MS2: a rapid and innovative method for trace analysis of six cytostatic drugs in health care setting.

With the aim of establishing exposure levels for hospital personnel preparing and administering cytostatic drugs (CDs), here, we present an innovative screening method based on the use of the desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) interface coupled with a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer. A rapid, simple, and sensitive procedure was developed for the simultaneous surface monitoring of cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, methotrexate, vincristine, gemcitabine, and cytarabine. Since analytes were in the solid state, a novel approach based on the use of passive samplers was combined with the direct analysis of wipes.

Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in airborne particulate matter: validation and application of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analytical method.

This study concerns the validation of an analytical method for the measurement of occupational exposure to trace levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in airborne particulate matter (APM). Personal exposure to selected PAHs of five workers occupationally exposed to urban pollution in Rome, Italy, was evaluated. The samples were collected over 10 days evenly distributed during winter and summer of 2008.