Analysis of unchanged toluene, benzene and n-hexane in human blood and urine can be useful to evaluate occupational exposure to these solvents. A simple method was developed using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) for simultaneous gas-chromatography analysis of toluene, benzene and n-hexane in urine and blood; with purpose of biological monitoring of occupational exposure. Carboxen/polidimethylsiloxane fiber (CAR-PDMS) and PDMS fiber coating were employed in this analysis. Blood and urine samples were collected from handling glue workers. The toluene was detected in all blood samples collected from workers handling glue in shoe repair shops, when using CAR-PDMS fibers (16.0-55.2 μg L-1, n=7). n-Hexane was only detected in two blood samples (33.0 and 41.3 μg L-1) and benzene was not detected in anyone. No solvent could be quantified in urine samples.
SPME; n-hexane; toluene; benzene; urine; blood
