Objective: To establish a high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of 2-thioxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in urine. Methods: After acidification with hydrochloric acid, TTCA in urine was first extracted by ethyl acetate with excessive sodium chloride, then gradient separated by a symmetry C18 column and then detected by a diode array detector. The quantification was based on a working curve of external standard method. Results: The linear relationship of TTCA in urine was good in the range of 0.03-10.00 mg/L, and the correlation coefficient was 0.9999. The detection limit and minimum quantitative concentration of TTCA in urine were 0.008 mg/L and 0.027 mg/L. The intra-assay precision of the method was 0.9%-1.4%, the inter-assay precision was 1.3%-3.5%, and the average recovery was 85.0%-92.7% while the concentrations of TTCA in urine was 0.8, 2.0 and 8.0 mg/L, respectively (n=6) . Conclusion: The gradient elution high performance liquid chromatography method has simple operation and high sensitivity, and it is suitable for the determination of TTCA on a low level in urine for occupational workers exposure to carbon disulfide.
Carbon Disulfide ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Humans ; Thiazoles/urine* ; Thiazolidines ; Thiones

BACKGROUND: Benzene is a known occupational and environmental pollutant. Its urinary metabolite trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA) has been introduced by some environmental and occupational health regulatory associations as a biological index for the assessment of benzene exposure; however, recently, doubts have been raised about the specificity of tt-MA for low-level benzene exposures. In the present study, we investigated the association between urinary levels of tt-MA and inhalational exposure to benzene in different exposure groups. METHODS: Benzene exposure was assessed by personal air sampling. Collected benzene on charcoal tube was extracted by carbon disulfide and determined by a gas chromatograph (gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector). Urinary tt-MA was extracted by a strong anion-exchange column and determined with high-performance liquid chromatography–UV. RESULTS: Urinary levels of tt-MA in intensive benzene exposure groups (chemical workers and police officers) were significantly higher than other groups (urban and rural residents), but its levels in the last two groups with significant different exposure levels (mean = 0.081 ppm and 0.019 ppm, respectively) showed no significant difference (mean = 388 μg/g creatinine and 282 μg/g, respectively; p < 0.05). Before work shift, urine samples of workers and police officers showed a high amount of tt-MA and its levels in rural residents’ samples were not zero. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that tt-MA may not be a reliable biomarker for monitoring low-level (below 0.5 ppm) benzene exposures.
Benzene* ; Carbon Disulfide ; Charcoal ; Chromatography ; Creatinine ; Environmental Monitoring ; Flame Ionization ; Humans ; Occupational Health ; Police ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: In Korea, Carbon disulfide (CS2) toxicity was an important social problem from the late 1980s to the early 1990s but there have been few large-scale studies examining the prevalence of diseases after CS2 exposure discontinuance. So we investigated past working exposure to CS2 characteristics from surviving ex-workers of a rayon manufacturing plant including cumulative CS2 exposure index. Furthermore, we studied the prevalence of their chronic diseases recently after many years. METHODS: We interviewed 633 ex-workers identified as CS2 poisoning-related occupational diseases to determine demographic and occupational characteristics and reviewed their medical records. The work environment measurement data from 1992 was used as a reference. Based on the interviews and foreign measurement documents, weights were assigned to the reference concentrations followed by calculation of individual exposure index, the sum of the portion of each time period multiplied by the concentrations of CS2 during that period. RESULTS: The cumulative exposure index was 128.2 ppm on average. Workers from the spinning, electrical equipment repair, and motor repair departments were exposed to high concentrations of ≥10 ppm. Workers from the maintenance of the ejector, manufacturing of CS2, post-process, refining, maintenance and manufacturing of viscose departments were exposed to low concentrations below 10 ppm. The prevalence for hypertension, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, arrhythmia, psychoneurotic disorder, disorders of the nervous system and sensory organ were 69.2%, 13.9%, 24.8%, 24.5%, 1.3%, 65.7%, 72.4% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We estimated the individual cumulative CS2 exposure based on interviews and foreign measurement documents, and work environment measurement data. Comparing the work environment measurement data from 1992, these values were similar to them. After identified as CS2 poisoning, there are subjects over 70 years of average age with disorders of the nervous system and sensory organs, hypertension, psychoneurotic disorder, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia. Because among ex-workers of the rayon manufacturing plant, only 633 survivors recognized as CS2 poisoning were studied, the others not identified as CS2 poisoning should also be investigated in the future.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Carbon Disulfide* ; Carbon* ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Chronic Disease* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Nervous System ; Occupational Diseases* ; Plants ; Poisoning ; Prevalence* ; Social Problems ; Survivors ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: We surveyed the awareness and current status of using fumigant carbon disulfide for exterminate Curculio sikkimensis among chestnut farmers in Chungnam Province to suggest directions for health education and public relations. METHODS: We designed questionnaires to evaluate recognition of fumigant carbon disulfide. We conducted a questionnaire survey to assess recognition and recognition level of fumigant carbon disulfide by the study variables. RESULTS: The recognition status for fumigant carbon disulfide was 74.5%, but the recognition level was low (know well 27.5%). The path of recognition was 45.1% and 15.7% for neighbor and rural technology center, respectively. The recognition status for warning label of fumigant carbon disulfide was 52.9%. Recognition for warning label of fumigant carbon disulfide was tended to increase with high educational attainment, bigger owning land area. Recognition on the content of warning label were 29.4%, 27.5%, 21.6%, and 21.6% for inflammability, toxicity, hazard, and explosiveness, respectively. Using personal protection equipment was tended to increase with the high status of awareness on fumigant carbon disulfide. CONCLUSIONS: Health education programs for using fumigant carbon disulfide are needed for chestnut farmers. In addition, publicity information activities about prevention and protection of carbon disulfide poisoning are needed for high risk farmers.
Carbon Disulfide* ; Carbon* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Farmers* ; Fumigation ; Health Education ; Humans ; Poisoning ; Public Relations ; Weevils*

OBJECTIVETo study the influences of carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure on fatty acid metabolism in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice and C57BL/6J mice.

METHODSTwenty-four male ApoE knockout mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups: a CS2-exposed normal diet group, a CS2-unexposed normal diet group, a CS2-exposed high-fat diet group, and a CS2-unexposed high-fat diet group. Twenty-four C57BL/6J male mice were divided into four groups in the same way. The CS2-exposed groups were exposed to CS2 (1 g/m(3)) by static inhalation for 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. After two weeks, the whole blood of mice was collected. Methyl ester derivatization of fatty acids was performed using an acid-catalyzed method. Fatty acid contents before and after exposure were compared by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in fatty acid contents of mice between the four groups. For the C57BL/6J mice, the arachidic acid contents in the CS2-exposed high-fat diet group were significantly lower than those in the CS2-unexposed high-fat diet group (P = 0.045 0). For the ApoE knockout mice, the arachidonic acid contents in the CS2-exposed normal diet group were significantly lower than those in the CS2-unexposed control diet group (P = 0.045 2). For the ApoE knockout mice, the γ-linolenic acid contents in the CS2-exposed high-fat diet group were significantly higher than those in the unexposed high-fat diet group (P = 0.044 7).

CONCLUSIONExposure to CS2 can induce fatty acid metabolism disorder in mice, indicating that CS2 may increase the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; Carbon Disulfide ; toxicity ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fatty Acids ; chemistry ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout

OBJECTIVETo develop a solvent desorption gas chromatographic method for determination of n-pentanol in the workplace air.

METHODSn-Pentanol in the workplace air was collected with activated carbon tubes, desorbed with 2% 2-propanol in carbon disulfide, separated with a nitroterephthalic acid-modified FFAP capillary column, and detected with flame ionization detector.

RESULTSThe limit of detection was 0.2 mg/L; the lower limit of quantification was 0.6 mg/L; the linear range was 0.6-4072.0 mg/L. The minimum detectable mass concentration was 0.2 mg/m3 for 1.5 L of air sample. This method was highly repeatable. The relative standard deviations were 2.3%-5.4%. The average desorption efficiencies were 86.9%-94.2%. The absorption efficiencies were 100%. The breakthrough volume was above 8.0 mg in 100-mg activated carbon. The samples in activated carbon tubes could be stored for at least 14 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONThe method is feasible for determination of n-pentanol in the workplace air.

2-Propanol ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Carbon Disulfide ; Charcoal ; Chromatography, Gas ; Limit of Detection ; Pentanols ; analysis ; Solvents ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo study the influences of carbon disulfide (CS2) exposureon fatty acid metabolism in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice and C57BL/6J mice.

METHODSTwenty-four male ApoE knockout mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups: a CS2-exposed normal diet group, a CS2-unexposed normal diet group, a CS2-exposed high-fat diet group, and a CS2-unexposed high-fat diet group. Twenty-four C57BL/6J male mice were divided into four groups in the same way. The CS2-exposed groups were exposed to CS2 (1 g/m³) by static inhalation for 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. After two weeks, the whole blood of mice was collected. Methyl ester derivatization of fatty acids was performed using an acid-catalyzed method. Fatty acid contents before and after exposure were compared by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in fatty acid contents of mice between the four groups. For the C57BL/6J mice, the arachidic acid contents in the CS2-exposed high-fat diet group were significantly lower than those in the CS2-unexposed high-fat diet group (P = 0.0450). For the ApoE knockout mice, the arachidonic acid contents in the CS2-exposed normal diet group were significantly lower than those in the CS2-unexposed control diet group (P = 0.0452). For the ApoE knockout mice, the γ-linolenic acid contents in the CS2-exposed high-fat diet group were significantly higher than those in the unexposed high-fat diet group (P = 0.0447).

CONCLUSIONExposure to CS2 can induce fatty acid metabolism disorder in mice, indicating that CS2 may increase the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; Carbon Disulfide ; toxicity ; Diet, High-Fat ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of exposed to different concentrations of carbon disulfide on neurological signs of workers.

METHODSCollection the information of concentration of carbon disulfide in the workplace or workers individuals exposed of a chemical fiber industry from 2004 to 2011, a total of 3 537 workers exposed to carbon disulfide were detected muscle strength and muscle tone, knee reflex, Achilles tendon reflex, trembling limbs, sensory function, and three chatter. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis on abnormal neurological signs of workers.

RESULTSEight hours time-weighted average concentration range of workers exposed to carbon disulfide in this chemical fiber industry was 0.2-41.0 mg/m(3), geometric mean was 2.38 mg/m(3). Concentration of carbon disulfide exposure of 1 771 workers was from 0.2 to 2.5 mg/m3( ≤ 2.5 mg/m(3)), 642 workers was 2.6-4.8 mg/m(3) (< 5.0 mg/m(3)), other 1 051 workers was from 5.1 to 41.0 mg/m(3) ( > 5.0 mg/m(3)) in all subjects. The different detection rates of knee reflex were 3.0% (31/1 045), 3.7% (21/574), 4.8% (16/331), 3.3% (10/305), 5.9% (11/187), 6.7% (68/1 022), the different detection rates of Achilles tendon reflex were 2.2% (23/1 045), 3.7% (21/574), 2.7% (9/331), 2.3% (7/305), 2.1% (4/187), 5.6% (57/1 022), the different detection rates of sensory dysfunction were 0.4% (4/1 045), 0.5% (3/574), 0.6% (2/331), 0.0% (0/305), 2.1% (4/187), 1.7% (17/1 022) in different cumulative amount of contact groups ( ≤ 10.0, 10.1-20.0, 20.1-30.0, 30.1-40.0, 40.1-50.0, >50.0 mg/m(3) per year), and the differences were statistically significant (χ(2) = 19.53, 21.27 and 15.89, all P values were <0.01) . Stratified according to age and gender, in addition to the ≤ 25 years group the difference of detection rate analysis on Achilles tendon reflex was statistically significant in the different concentration group (the ratio of on Achilles tendon reflex in the different groups of concentration of carbon disulfide exposure of 2.5, 2.6-5.0, ≥ 5.0 mg/m(3) were 0.4% (2/511), 1.0% (1/98), 2.1% (7/327), χ(2) = 5.59, P = 0.045) , the difference of detection rate analysis on neurological sign was not statistically significant in the different concentration group on the rest of the age and gender groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWithin the concentration range of the object of study contact actual, different concentrations of carbon disulfide in addition to individual neurological signs of individual ages influential, it has no significant effect on the various signs of nervous system of workers of most age and gender groups, expect the age below the 25 years old group.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; Chemical Industry ; China ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of carbon disulfide (CS(2)) inhalation on the lipid levels of ApoE knockout gene mice and C57BL/6J mice.

METHODSFifty-one male ApoE gene knockout mice were randomly divided into four groups: CS(2)-exposed normal diet group, CS(2)-unexposed normal diet group, CS(2)-exposed high-fat diet group, and CS(2)-unexposed high-fat diet group. Fifty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups in the same way. The exposed groups received 1000 mg/m3 CS(2) by static inhalation (5h/d, 5d/w) for four weeks. The weight of each mouse was determined and recorded once a week. On the 14th day of exposure, six mice in each group were randomly selected to measure serum total cholesterol (TC) levels. On the 28th day of exposure, the serum levels of TC and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the remaining mice were measured.

RESULTSThe mean weight gain of exposed groups was less than that of the unexposed groups. On the 14th and 28th days of experiment, the TC levels of the CS2-exposed high-fat diet group were significantly higher than those of the CS(2)-unexposed high-fat diet group among ApoE knockout gene mice (P < 0.01 for both). On the 14th day of experiment, the TC levels of the CS(2)-unexposed high-fat diet group were significantly higher than those of the CS(2)-unexposed normal-diet group among C57BL/6J mice group (P < 0.05). On the 28th day of experiment, the LDL levels of the CS(2)-exposed high-fat diet group were significantly higher than those of the CS(2)-unexposed high-fat diet group among ApoE knockout gene mice (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONCS(2) exposure, high-fat diet, and ApoE gene knockout can elevate blood lipids in mice, thus increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; Body Weight ; Carbon Disulfide ; toxicity ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout

OBJECTIVETo establish a gas chromatography method for determination of methyl propyl ketone in the air of workplace.

METHODSMethyl propyl ketone in the air of workplace was collected with activated carbon tubes and desorbed with carbon disulfide before sample loading. The target toxicant was separated with the capillary column and detected with a hydrogen flame ionization detector, identified by retention time, and quantified by peak area.

RESULTSThe linear range of methyl propyl ketone in the air of workplace was 202.5∼4 860.0 µg/ml, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 98. The limit of detection was 1.5 µg/ml. The lower limit of quantification was 5.0 µg/ml. The minimum detectable concentration was 1.0 mg/m(3) under 1.5 L sampling volume and 1.0 ml desorption solution volume. The relative standard deviation of different methyl propyl ketone concentrations was 1.42%∼1.65%, and the recovery rate was 94.9%∼ 97.9%.

CONCLUSIONThis method has high sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, and it is applicable for determination of methyl propyl ketone in the air of workplace.

Air ; analysis ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Carbon Disulfide ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Pentanones ; analysis ; Workplace