Urinary 2,5 hexanedione as a biomarker of n-hexane exposure

• Published in: Biomarkers 2002-07, Vol.7 (4), p.299-305
• Main Authors: Mayan, Olga, Teixeira, Joao Paulo, Alves, Sandra, Azevedo, Conceição
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2,5-HEXANEDIONE; Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational - pharmacokinetics; Air Pollutants, Occupational - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - urine; Biomonitoring; Biotransformation; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Female; Hexanes - administration & dosage; Hexanes - pharmacokinetics; Hexanes - toxicity; Hexanones - urine; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; N-HEXANE Exposure; Occupational Exposure; Solvents; Toxicology
• ISSN: 1354-750X; 1366-5804
• DOI: 10.1080/13547500210136796

n-Hexane is a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon widely used in industry. In most cases it is used as a mixture with hexane isomers and various others solvents in the form of commercial hexane. n-Hexane is metabolized oxidatively to a number of compounds, including 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD), which is eliminated through the urine and is implicated in the neurotoxic effect of this solvent. The main objective of this study was to evaluate urinary 2,5-HD as a biomarker of n-hexane exposure. The study was carried out in seven industrial units. Post-shift urine samples from 111 workers who handled commercial hexane were collected and analysed for 2,5-HD by capillary gas chromatography. Air sampling was performed in the breathing zones of the workers, and the air samples were analysed using validated methods. Monitoring individual exposures showed that n-hexane exposure varied from 5 to 70 p.p.m. (mean±SD = 15.24±2.98 p.p.m.). Significant correlation was observed between exposure to n-hexane and urinary 2,5-HD levels, with high correlation coefficients (ρ= 0.81, p = 0.000), suggesting that urinary 2,5-HD is a good biomarker of occupational exposure to n-hexane. Urinary 2,5-HD is recommended as a better tool than air monitoring in the assessment of health risk, namely the early detection of n-hexane neurotoxicity.