Analytical Monitoring of Trinitrotoluene Metabolites in Urine by GC-MS. Part I. Semiquantitative Determination of 4-Amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene in Human Urine

Abstract

A routine procedure for the monitoring of occupational exposure to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) based on the semiquantitative determination of 4_amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4A2,6-DNT)in urine samples by gas chromatography (GC-MS) was developed. For calibration purposes, a standard sample of 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene was prepared.

Urine samples were collected form munition workers in a military plant in Hradec Králové district. The samples were extracted into ethyl acetate, and analyzed by GC-MS without previous derivatization.

The GC was equipped with a DB1701 column (30 m,0,25 mm,0,25m) for optimum separation. 4A2,6-DNT was detected at concentrations above the limit of quantitation (0,2mg/L).