DETERMINATION OF PENTACHLOROPHENOL IN URINE

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its sodium salt (Na PCP) are included among the most versatile pesticides. Laboratory control of PCP-exposed workers is usually done by determining PCP in urine. Generally, the analysis involves an initial PCP extraction by organic solvents, followed by derivatization and identification using electron-capture gas chromatography. Derivatization is generally done by methylation using an ethereal diazomethane solution. Another process of derivatization, which was described by L. Rudling to search PCP in water and fishes, is based upon the formation of an acetylated product by treating PCP with acetic anhydride. Such a method was simplified by R. Erney, to analyze for PCP in milk. This is an extremely simple and fast process. Erney's method was adapted to determine PCP in the urine of exposed workers due to a need to monitor these exposed workers in a PCP and Na PCP synthesis factory. This paper reports on the adapted procedure. Refs.