| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2599783 | Toxicology Letters | 2012 | 9 Pages |
The present methodology was developed to simultaneously assess chronic exposure to PAHs and to tobacco from the analysis of one hair specimen per examined individual. The method is a two step extraction of twelve mono-hydroxy-PAHs and of nicotine, and their separate analysis by optimized methods using gas chromatography–negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry. After method validation and assessment of the hair decontamination procedure, 105 hair specimens from smokers and non-smokers were analyzed. All the hair samples tested positive for nicotine. Median concentration was 10.7 ng/mg for smokers and 0.5 ng/mg for non-smokers. 70% of the samples tested positive for OH-PAHs. The most common one was 2-naphthol (61%) and its concentration was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers (median: 111 vs 70 pmol/g, p = 0.006). 2-OH-benzo(c)phenanthrene and 6-OH-chrysene were only detected once in a non-smoker's hair. The concentration of the sum of all PAH-metabolites ranged from 24 to 67190 pmol/g (median: 118 pmol/g). Only six samples tested positive for more than two different metabolites. The simultaneous detection of nicotine and OH-PAHs in hair is possible and provides reliable results. This represents a useful tool for the accurate biomonitoring of chronic exposure to PAH and correct identification of the sources of exposure.
► We present a method for simultaneous analysis of PAH metabolites and nictoine in hair. ► The method assesses PAH exposure and considers the contribution of the smoking status. ► PAH metabolites were correlated to the nicotine level in volunteers’ samples. ► We provide values of hair concentration of PAH metabolites in smokers and non smokers. ► This represents a new tool for the identification of the sources of exposure to PAH.
