Determination of Metabolites (Including Thioethers) of Mutagens and/or Carcinogens as Exposure Indicators
Biological assessment of exposure to environmental hazards offers the potential for: (1) evaluation of exposure to prevent health impairment and (2) early detection of health effects. Two main methods of assessment can be used: (1) evaluation of the biological specimen for the exposed chemical or its metabolites and (2) measurement of the biological or clinical effects. There has been rapid improvement in the sensitivity of analytical techniques in the last decade and biological specimens of trace quantity can now be used for routine determinations. In this paper the current practice for monitoring populations exposed to benzene, styrene trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and to some mutagens/ carcinogens are described. The practical concerns associated with routine urinary analyses, such as sample collection, sample preparation and interpretation of results are also discussed.