Quantitation of metabolites of the nerve agents sarin, soman, cyclohexylsarin, VX, and Russian VX in human urine using isotope-dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

J Anal Toxicol. 2004 Jul-Aug;28(5):372-8.

Abstract

Organophosphorus nerve agents are among the most toxic organic compounds known and continue to be a threat for both military and terrorist use. We have developed an isotope-dilution gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (GC-MS-MS) method for quantitating the urinary metabolites of the organophosphorus nerve agents sarin (GB), soman (GD), VX, Russian VX (RVX), and cyclohexylsarin (GF). Urine samples were acidified, extracted into ether-acetonitrile, derivatized by methylation with diazomethane, and analyzed by GC-MS-MS. The limits of detection were less than 1 micro g/L for all analytes.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Warfare Agents / analysis*
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / metabolism*
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Humans
  • Isotope Labeling
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / analysis*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / metabolism*
  • Urinalysis

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Organophosphorus Compounds