Levels of Metabolites of Phthalates, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Bisphenol A in Urine of Czech Students (Pilot Study)
Abstract
The main target of human biomonitoring is monitoring of exposure and effects of substances used in industry and determination of their concentrations in the human body. In this pilot study the metabolite levels of phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and bisphenol A were determined in urine.
Their association with possible exposure sources was analyzed. The study comprised 95 adults (44 males and 51 females) aged 20 and 29 years from Prague and Ostrava.
The analytes in urine samples were determined by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS). Metabolite levels did not exceed limit values for these biomarkers for any participant.
The questionnaire survey, as part of the study, revealed no factors that might affect levels of the selected substances in urine. However, a significant gender-related difference was detected for the level of 5-OH-MEHP and sums of 5-OH-MEHP and 5-oxo-MEHP, where women from Ostrava had significantly higher metabolite values than men.