Methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) (MbOCA): towards a biological monitoring guidance value

Abstract

We report the development and validation of a high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) (MbOCA) and its labile conjugates in urine. The method has been in regular use for the biological monitoring of workers exposed to MbOCA for the past 11 years. Following the development of a biological monitoring strategy, and the introduction of a biological action level by the Health and Safety Commission in 1984, there has been a steady fall in the proportion of workers whose urinary results are above the action level. We conclude that, in the absence of reliable health-based data, a guidance value based on the use of the 90th percentile derived from monitoring a cross-section of the industry, can be used to interpret biological monitoring results. The measurement of urinary MbOCA is a practical non-invasive way of monitoring workers which can be useful in helping to control exposure.

Key Words :

• biological monitoring
• methylene bis(2chloroaniline)
• MbOCA
• high performance liquid chromatography
• guidance value