Measurement of methyl tert-butyl ether and tert-butyl alcohol in human blood by purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using an isotope-dilution method

Bonin, MA; Ashley, DL; Cardinali, FL; Mccraw, JM; Wooten, JV

HERO ID

85709

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1995

Language

English

PMID

7564298

HERO ID 85709
In Press No
Year 1995
Title Measurement of methyl tert-butyl ether and tert-butyl alcohol in human blood by purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using an isotope-dilution method
Authors Bonin, MA; Ashley, DL; Cardinali, FL; Mccraw, JM; Wooten, JV
Journal Journal of Analytical Toxicology
Volume 19
Issue 3
Page Numbers 19:187-191
Abstract We developed an isotope-dilution method for measuring methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in whole human blood using a purge-and-trap gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method. The labeled analogues for MTBE and TBA were [2H12]methyl tert-butyl ether and [2H9]-tert-butyl alcohol, respectively. Volatiles were removed from the blood by direct helium purging of the liquid; were trapped on a Tenax trap; and were desorbed, cryofocused, and chromatographed on a DB-624 capillary column that was connected directly to the ion source of a mass spectrometer. Detection was by mass analysis using a double-focusing magnetic-sector mass spectrometer operating in the full-scan mode at the medium mass resolution of 3000. For the isotope-dilution method, the minimum detection limits in blood (5-10 mL) are 0.01 microgram/L for MTBE and 0.06 microgram/L for TBA. The isotope-dilution method proved to be a big improvement in recovery, reproducibility, and sensitivity over our previous analytical method, which used the labeled ketone, [4-2H3]-2-butanone, as the internal standard for both MTBE and TBA. The isotope-dilution method has sufficient sensitivity for monitoring blood levels of MTBE and TBA in populations exposed to oxygenated fuels containing MTBE.
Pmid 7564298
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments J. Anal. Toxicol. 19:187-191.
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Is Qa No