Biological Exposure Indices

  • Solvents:
  • Acetone, Benzene, Carbon dissulfide, Dichloromethane, Dimethylformamide, Ethanol, Ethylbenzene, Isopropanol, Methanol, Methylethylketone (MEK), Methylisobutylketone (MIBK), Metil n-butylketone, n-Hexane, Nitrobenzene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Trichloroethane, Trichloroethylene, Xylene.
  • Metals:
  • Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Zinc.
  • Other chemical agents:
  • Aniline, Carbon monoxide (CO), Cyanides, Fluorine and fluorides, Phenol.
  • Search by the analysis (BEI) name: (Choose BEI on list and click continue)
    • Note: Information provided has complemental nature. Analysis requisition and mainly result interpretation should be done by a experienced occupational health doctor.

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    ACETONE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Acetone in urine (Acet-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift and a post-shift urine sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Freeze right after collection in well caped flask.
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 50 mg/L
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)
    Obs.: Diabetics might eliminate high levels of acetone in urine.

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    CARBON DISSULFIDE (CS2)

    Biological Exposure Indice: 2-thio-tiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid in urine (TTCA)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 5 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    Obs.: This BEI replace advantageuosly the iodine-azide test. It is more specific and shows a better correlation with exposure.

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    BENZENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Trans-trans muconic acid in urine (Mucon)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure5.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 0,5 mg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: Not included in NR 7. See     Portaria nº 34 de 20-12-2001 (in portuguese)
    The value of 1,6 mg/g creatinine correlates with an exposure to 1 ppm of benzene.
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    Obs.:
    1. sorbitol, a food additive, may lead to a discreet interference which is reduced by collecting post-shift urine sample;
    2. tabagism may also increase trans-trans muconic acid level in urine;
    3. reference values usually ponder these interferences;
    4. trans-trans muconic acid is recomended as BEI for the exposure to low benzene levels. See TOXIKÓN report (in portuguese)
    5. portaria 34 de 20-12-2001 recomends collection of urine sample after 3 consecutive days of exposure.

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    DICHLOROMETHANE (DCM / methylchloride)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Carboxyhemoglobin in blood (COHb)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift whole blood (heparine) sample and a post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample (2 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 1,0 % (non smokers)
    I.B.M.P.: 3,5 % (non smokers)
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: Tabagism is the major interference source for this BEI. Smokers may reach up to 15 %.
    While     Chart I of NR-7 establish how to collect samples, for this analysis, TOXIKÓN prompt clients, based on recent international recomendations, to collect post-shift whole blood samples for non smokers, reserving the obtention of two samples (pre and post-shift) only for smokers.
    Concomitant exposure to some alcohols and toluene inhibit biotransformation of DCM into carbon monoxide leading to lower than expected carboxihemoglobine values for the actual exposure.

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    DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE

    Biological Exposure Indice: N-methylformamide in urine (NMF)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 40 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)
    Obs.: This chemical is readilly absorved through skin.

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    ETHANOL (Ethyl alcohol)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Ethanol in blood (EtOH-S)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample (2 mL). Do not use alcohol for forearm asepsis, use neutral soap.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC) in well caped flask.
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: N.R.
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)
    Obs.: This determination is conducted mainly to determine the compsumption of alcohol. In this case, sampling should be performed at the time of suspicion.
    Although IBMP is not established for this chemical, results interpretation may be based on the values pointed by traffic regulations which stablish limits for safe vehicle driving. Brazilian traffic code (January/98) adopts 0,6 g/L.
    The intentional exposure (ingestion) of ethanol should be investigated and discarded before using this analysis for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure.
    Ethanol analysis might also be performed in serum, plasma or     urine.

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    ETHANOL (Ethyl Alcohol)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Ethanol in urine (EtOH-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL).
    Storage: Freeze right after collection in well caped flask.
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: N.R.
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)
    Obs.: This determination is conducted mainly to determine the compsumption of alcohol. In this case, sampling should be performed at the time of suspicion.
    The intentional exposure (ingestion) of ethanol should be investigated and discarded before using this analysis for the monitoring of occupational exposure.
    Ethanol analysis might also be performed in     whole blood, serum or plasma.

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    ETHYLBENZENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Mandelic acid in urine (Mandel)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) taken at the last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 1,5 g/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    Obs.: Alcohol consumption should be avoided during the 24 hours preceding sampling.

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    ISOPROPANOL (Isopropylic alcohol or 2-propanol)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Acetone in urine (Acet-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Freeze right after collection in well caped flask.
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 50 mg/L (DFG - BAT)
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)
    Obs.: Diabetics might eliminate high levels of acetone in urine.

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    METHANOL (Methyl alcohol)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Methanol in urine (MetOH-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Freeze right after collection in well caped flask.
    Reference Value: up to 5 mg/L
    I.B.M.P.: 15 mg/L
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)

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    METHYLETHYLKETONE (MEK or 2-butanone)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Methylethylketone in urine (MEK-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Freeze right after collection in well caped flask.
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 2 mg/L
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)

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    METHYLISOBUTYLKETONE (MIBK)

    [Novidade]

    Biological Exposure Indice: Methylisobutylketone in urine (MIBK-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 2 mg/L
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)

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    METHYL n-BUTHYLKETONE (2-hexanone)

    Biological Exposure Indice: 2,5-hexanodione (acetonylacetone) in urine (Hex-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 2 mg/g creatinine at pre-shift and 4 mg/g creatinine at post-shift (    LTI - VBA)
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)

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    n-HEXANE

    Biological Exposure Indice: 2,5-hexanodione (acetonylacetone) in urine (Hex-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 5 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)

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    NITROBENZENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Methemoglobine in blood (MEHb)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift whole blood (heparine) sample and a post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample (2 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC). Samples should arrive at the laboratory up to 24 hours after collection.
    Reference Value: up to 2 %
    I.B.M.P.: 5 %
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: After collection there is a natural tendency for methemoglobine level to increase. That is why is important to immediately remit samples to the laboratory for prompt analysis.
    Although     Chart I of NR-7 establish how to conduct sampling, TOXIKÓN prompt clients, following recent international recomendations, to collect post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample.

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    STYRENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Mandelic acid in urine (Mandel)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 0,8 g/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    Obs.: Alcohol consumption should be avoided during the 24 hours preceding sampling.

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    STYRENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Phenylglyoxylic acid in urine (Gliox)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 240 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    Obs.: Alcohol consumption should be avoided during the 24 hours preceding sampling.

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    TETRACHLOROETHYLENE (Perchloroethylene)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Trichloroacetic acid in urine (TCA)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample (20 mL) collected at last day of work week (    Chart I of NR-7).
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 3,5 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: ACGIH recommends collecting post-shift urine sample at the last day of work week.

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    TOLUENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Hippuric acid in urine (Hip)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 1,5 g/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 2,5 g/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    Obs.: Intake of benzoic acid containing food (or benzoic acid forming substances as quinic acid) may increase hippuric acid level in urine.

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    TRICHLOROETANE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Total trichlorocompounds in urine (TCC)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) collected at last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 40 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry

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    TRICHLOROETHYLENE (Triclene)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Total trichlorocompounds in urine (TCC)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) collected at last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 300 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry

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    XILENE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Methylhippuric acid in urine (Methip)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 1,5 g/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)

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    ARSENIC

    Biological Exposure Indice: Arsenic in urine (As-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample (50 mL) collected at last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 10 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 50 µg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Some marine organism may contain high levels of organoarsenicals compounds which, upon ingestion are rapidly excreted in urine. Worker should be instructed to avoid ingestion of seafood for at least the two days preceding sampling.

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    Cadmium:
    Occupational exposure to cadmium may be monitored measuring:
  • cadmium in blood (Cd-S)
  • cadmium in urine (Cd-U)

    CADMIUM

    Biological Exposure Indice: Cadmium in blood (Cd-S)
    Specimen collection: A whole blood (heparine) sample (10 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: N.R.
    I.B.M.P.: 0,5 µg/dL
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    See also:     Cadmium in urine.

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    CADMIUM

    Biological Exposure Indice: cadmium in urine (Cd-U)
    Specimen collection: A urine sample (50 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 2 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 5 µg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    See also:     Cadmium in blood.

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    CHROMIUM

    Biological Exposure Indice: Chromium in urine (Cr-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) collected at last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 5 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 30 µg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)

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    COBALT

    [Novidade]

    Biological Exposure Indice: Cobalt in urine (Co-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (20 mL) collected at last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 2,4 µg/L (FIOH)
    I.B.M.P.: 15 µg/L (ACGIH)
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)

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    Copper:
    Occupational exposure to copper may be monitored measuring:
  • copper in serum (Cu-S)
  • copper in urine (Cu-U)

    COPPER

    Biological Exposure Indice: Copper in serum (Cu-S)
    Specimen collection: A serum sample (3 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day. After collecting 10 ml of whole blood (no anti-cloting agent) allow blood cloting and obtain serum by centrifugation.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: 60 a 140 µg/dL
    I.B.M.P.: N.R.
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Due to its low toxicity, copper IBMP is not established. Result interpretation should be based mainly on historical evolution of previous results.
    See also:     Copper in urine (Cu-U).

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    COPPER

    Biological Exposure Indice: Copper in urine (Cu-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (50 mL) collected at last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 50 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: N.R.
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Due to its low toxicity, copper IBMP is not established. Result interpretation should be based mainly on historical evolution of previous results.
    See also:     Copper in serum (Cu-S).

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    Lead:
    There are many BEIs for inorganic lead, two of internal dose:
  • Lead in blood (Pb-S)
  • Lead in urine (Pb-U)
    and several effect indices:
  • delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (Ala-U).
  • Zinc protoporphyrine in blood (ZPP).
  • Free protoporphyrine in erythrocite (Proto / PPE) - almost abandoned nowadays.
  • Coproporphyrins in urine (Copro) - almost abandoned nowadays.
     For organic lead (lead tethraethyle) Chart I of NR-7 recommends the use of:
  • Lead in urine (Pb-U)

    LEAD (INORGANIC)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Lead in blood (Pb-S)
    Specimen collection: A whole blood (heparine) sample (10 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 40 µg/dL
    I.B.M.P.: 60 µg/dL
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    See also:     Delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (Ala-U), Zinc protoporphyrine in blood (ZPP), Free protoporphyrine in erythrocite (PPE) and Coproporphyrins in urine (Copro-U).

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    LEAD (INORGANIC)

    Biological Exposure Indice: delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (Ala-U)
    Specimen collection: A urine sample (20 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC) protecting sample from direct light exposure.
    Reference Value: up to 4,5 mg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 10 mg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: Urinary Ala level is raised in patient with porphyrias (rare congenital heme metabolism deficiency). Prolonge exposure of sample to light leads to degradation of this metabolite.
    See also:     Lead in blood (Pb-S), Zinc protoporphyrine in blood (ZPP), Free protoporphyrine in erythrocite (PPE) and Coproporphyrins in urine (Copro-U).

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    LEAD (INORGANIC)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Zinc protoporphyrine in blood (ZPP)
    Specimen collection: A whole blood (heparine) sample (2 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC) protecting sample from direct light exposure.
    Reference Value: up to 40 µg/dL
    I.B.M.P.: 100 µg/dL
    Analytical Method: Photofluorometry
    Obs.: Raised level of ZPP are founded in iron privation anemies and some porphyrias.
    See also:     Lead in blood (Pb-S), Delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (Ala-U), Free protoporphyrine in erythrocite (PPE) and Coproporphyrins in urine (Copro-U).

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    LEAD (INORGANIC)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Free protoporphyrine in erythrocite (Proto / PPE)
    Specimen collection: A whole blood (heparine) sample (2 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC) protecting sample from direct light exposure.
    Reference Value: up to 60 µg/dL
    I.B.M.P.: 300 µg/dL
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: Use of this BEI is being abandoned in favour of     ZPP and Ala-U.
    See also: Lead in blood (Pb-S), Delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (Ala-U), Zinc protoporphyrine in blood (ZPP) and Coproporphyrins in urine (Copro-U).

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    LEAD (INORGANIC)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Coproporphyrins in urine (Copro)
    Specimen collection: A urine sample (20 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC) protecting sample from direct light exposure.
    Reference Value: up to 150 µg/L
    I.B.M.P.: 200 µg/L
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: Use of this BEI has been abandoned in favour of     ZPP and Ala-U.
    See also: Lead in blood (Pb-S), Delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (Ala-U), Zinc protoporphyrine in blood (ZPP) and Free protoporphyrine in erythrocite (PPE).

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    LEAD (ORGANIC)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Lead in urine (Pb-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (75 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 50 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 100 µg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Although mainly used as BEI for organic lead (mustly lead tethraethyle, a gasoline additive not currently used), several authors suggest the use of lead in urine as a BEI for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to inorganic lead. For this purpose, sampling moment is not critical and IBMP is 50 µg/g creatinine.

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    MANGANESE

    Biological Exposure Indice: Manganese in urine (Mn-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift urine sample (50 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 8 µg/L
    I.B.M.P.: 20 µg/L
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)

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    MERCURY

    Biological Exposure Indice: Mercury in urine (Hg-U)
    Specimen collection:     Chart I of NR-7 recommends collecting first morning urine. If sampling supervision by medical service personnel is consider to be important, we recomend collecting pre-shift urine sample (20 mL).
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 5 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 35 µg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: To avoid exogen contamination of sample, the collection should be conducted at a clean place distant from working place. To facilitate interpretation of result evolution along time, sampling should be always conducted at the same moment.

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    NICKEL

    Biological Exposure Indice: Nickel in urine (Ni-U)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample (20 mL) collected at the last day of work week.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 2 µg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 30 µg/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Although this BEI was removed from     Chart I of NR-7 in its 1994 redaction, due to the fact that its well proved that exposition to nickel predispose to cancer, mainly lung and nasal cancers, we keep recommending the biological monitoring of its exposure.

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    Zinc:
    Occupational exposure to zinc may be monitored determining:
  • zinc in urine (Zn-U)
  • zinc in serum (Zn-S)

    ZINC

    Biological Exposure Indice: Zinc in urine (Zn-U)
    Specimen collection: A post-shift sample (20 mL) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: 150 a 700 µg/L
    I.B.M.P.: 1.200 µg/L
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Zinc is an essential metal, present in many multivitamine/mineral salts complexs. Intake of these complexes raise urinary and serum zinc levels.
    See also:     Zinc in serum (Zn-S).

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    ZINC

    Biological Exposure Indice: Zinc in serum (Zn-S)
    Specimen collection: A serum sample (5 mL). Specimen can be collected at any time of the day. After collecting 10 ml of whole blood (no anti-cloting agent) allow blood cloting and obtain serum by centrifugation.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: 59 a 121 µg/100 mL
    I.B.M.P.: 150 µg/100 mL
    Analytical Method: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
    Obs.: Zinc is an essential metal, present in many multivitamine/mineral salts complexs. Intake of these complexes raise urinary and serum zinc levels.
    See also:     Zinc in urine (Zn-U).

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    ANILINE and other methemoglobinizant agents

    Biological Exposure Indice: Methemoglobine in blood (MEHb)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift whole blood (heparine) sample and a post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC). Samples should arrive at the laboratory up to 24 hours after collection.
    Reference Value: up to 2 %
    I.B.M.P.: 5 %
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: After collection there is a natural tendency for methemoglobine level to increase. That is why is important to immediately remit samples to the laboratory for prompt analysis.
    Although     Chart I of NR-7 establish how to conduct sampling, TOXIKÓN prompt clients, following recent international recomendations, to collect post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample.

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    CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

    Biological Exposure Indice: Carboxyhemoglobin in blood (COHb)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift whole blood (heparine) sample and a post-shift whole blood (heparine) sample (2 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 1,0 % (non smokers)
    I.B.M.P.: 3,5 % (non smokers)
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: Tabagism is the major interference source for this BEI. Smokers might reach up to 15 %.
    While     Chart I of NR-7 establish how to collect samples, for this analysis, TOXIKÓN prompt clients, based on recent international recomendations, to collect post-shift whole blood samples for non smokers, reserving the obtention of two samples (pre and post-shift) only for smokers.

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    CIANIDES

    Biological Exposure Indice: Thiocyanate in urine (SCN)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 2,5 mg/g creatinine (non smokers)
    I.B.M.P.: 6,0 mg/g creatinine (non smokers)
    Analytical Method: UV/VIS spectrophotometry
    Obs.: Tabagism is the major interference source for urinary thiocyanate determination. Two ways to overcome this difficulty might be used for results interpretation:
    1. establish the difference between the end of shift and the begin of shift determinations and use this difference to compare with reference value and I.B.M.P.;
    2. as long as there is not concomitant exposure to a carboxyhemoglobinizant agent (ex: carbon monoxide, dichloromethane), determine also carboxyhemoglobine in blood (another IBE influenced by tabagism). The ration between SCN and COHb should be below 3.

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    FLUORINE AND FLUORIDES

    Biological Exposure Indice: Fluoride in urine
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (50 mL each) collected at the fourth day of work week. Sampling should be conducted in polyethylene flasks containing 0,1 g of EDTA for each 50 mL of urine.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: up to 0,5 mg/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 3 mg/g creatinine at the begin of shift and 10 mg/g creatinine at end of shift, or a difference between the values obtained at end of shift and begin of shift not superior to 5 mg/g creatinine.
    Analytical Method: Ion specific potentiometry

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    PHENOL

    Biological Exposure Indice: Phenol in urine (Fenol)
    Specimen collection: A pre-shift urine sample and a post-shift urine sample (20 mL each) obtained after at least two consecutive days of exposure.
    Storage: Refrigerator (4ºC)
    Reference Value: 20 g/g creatinine
    I.B.M.P.: 250 g/g creatinine
    Analytical Method: Gas chromatography (GC)

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