Determination in urine of diisocyanate-derived amines from occupational exposure by gas chromatography-mass fragmentography

Abstract

Hexane-1,6-diamine was determined in the urine of car painters exposed to paint aerosols based on 1,6-bis(carbonylamino)hexane. The concentration of inhaled functional NCO groups during a 15-min exposure averaged 2.8 ± 0.8 µmol m^–3(standard deviation, n= 5). The peak diamine concentration in urine of 63 ± 33 nmol (mmol creatinine)^–1(standard deviation, n= 5) occurred 30 min after the end of exposure. The diamine was extracted from the urine with Sep-Pak silica gel cartridges and determined as the perfluoroamide derivative by capillary gas chromatography-mass fragmentography. The determination of diisocyanate-derived diamines in urine offers a selective and sensitive means of biological monitoring of occupational isocyanate exposure.