Simultaneous determination of six dialkylphosphates in urine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2006 Feb 2;831(1-2):223-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2005.12.012. Epub 2006 Jan 10.

Abstract

Dialkylphosphates (DAP) are urinary markers of the exposure to organophosphates pesticides. The aim of this study was to develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of the following DAP: dimethylphosphate (DMP), dimethythiophosphate (DMTP), dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), diethylphosphate (DEP), diethylthiophosphate (DETP) and diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP). Dibutylphosphate (DBP) was used as internal standard. This method was based on a liquid-liquid extraction procedure, a chromatographic separation using an Inertsil ODS3 C18 column and mass spectrometric detection in the negative ion, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, following two ion transitions per compound. It yielded a limit of quantification of 2 microg/L for the six compounds and intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV%) lower than 20%. This method was applied to the analysis of urines samples from a small cohort of non-exposed volunteers. At least one of the six DAP was detected in each sample. This result confirmed the feasibility of a LC-MS/MS procedure for monitoring the general population exposure to some frequently employed organophosphate pesticides.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Organophosphates / urine*
  • Pesticide Residues / urine

Substances

  • Organophosphates
  • Pesticide Residues