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Urinalysis of atrazine exposure in farm pesticide applicators

Occupational Health Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

David C. Christiani

Occupational Health Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

John Mathew

Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

David Degenhardt

Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

James Tortorelli

Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

John Strauss

Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

William C. Sonzogni

Wisconsin Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

This study compared three relatively common laboratory methods for the detection of atrazine (a triazine herbicide commonly used in US agriculture), and related metabolites in urine. Ninety-nine samples collected from atrazine applicators within 8 h post application were analyzed. Thirty-seven percent of applicators showed detectable levels (minimum=1.0 ng/ml) of deethylatrazine (an atrazine metabolite typically found in environmental samples) in their urine, based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis (mean=14.2 ng/ml). Fifty applicator samples were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed for the mercapturate metabolic product. Most of these samples (80%) had detectable levels of the mercapturate product. A triazine in water ELISAwas also used to test several diluted urine samples from atrazine applicators, and all samples were positive for triazines. Mediocre agreements between the three methods indicated that each detected distinct atrazine exposure products. The results indicate that single field applications of atrazine result in measurable pesticide doses to applicators and that the choice of field assay should depend on the exposure product to be evaluated.

Key Words: atrazine urinalysis • herbicides • occupational exposure • pesticides • triazines

Toxicology and Industrial Health, Vol. 16, No. 7-8, 285-290 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/074823370001600705


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