Biomaterial Database

Biomonitoring as a method for assessing exposure to perchlorate. 2007

Benjamin C Blount, and Liza Valentín-Blasini

Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. bkb3@cdc.gov

Biomonitoring provides direct and quantitative information regarding human exposure to environmental toxicants, such as perchlorate (ClO(4)(-)). Because of concerns surrounding widespread exposure to ClO(4)(-), we are using biomonitoring methods to assess exposure to ClO(4)(-) and other physiologically relevant anions that can impact iodide uptake by the thyroid. These methods quantify ClO(4)(-), thiocyanate, nitrate, and iodide in human urine, milk, serum, blood spots, amniotic fluid, and infant formula using ion chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. In this paper we summarize recent ClO(4)(-) biomonitoring research and provide three additional examples of the utility of biomonitoring for characterizing ClO(4)(-) exposure. Specifically, we examine variability in ClO(4)(-) excretion, compare the relative importance of different exposure sources in adults, and estimate ClO(4)(-) exposure in formula-fed infants. These applications provide examples of how biomonitoring can improve individual exposure assessment. Individual biomarker data can subsequently be compared with individual thyroid function data to better evaluate potential linkage between ClO(4)(-) exposure and health.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007037	Hypothyroidism	A syndrome that results from abnormally low secretion of THYROID HORMONES from the THYROID GLAND, leading to a decrease in BASAL METABOLIC RATE. In its most severe form, there is accumulation of MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES in the SKIN and EDEMA, known as MYXEDEMA. It may be primary or secondary due to other pituitary disease, or hypothalamic dysfunction.	Central Hypothyroidism,Primary Hypothyroidism,Secondary Hypothyroidism,TSH Deficiency,Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Deficiency,Central Hypothyroidisms,Deficiency, TSH,Deficiency, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone,Hormone Deficiency, Thyroid-Stimulating,Hypothyroidism, Central,Hypothyroidism, Primary,Hypothyroidism, Secondary,Hypothyroidisms,Primary Hypothyroidisms,Secondary Hypothyroidisms,TSH Deficiencies,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Deficiency,Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Deficiencies
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D010472	Perchlorates	Compounds that contain the Cl(	Perchloric Acid Derivatives,Perchloric Acids,Acids, Perchloric
D004781	Environmental Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals.	Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D004784	Environmental Monitoring	The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment.	Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D041943	Infant Formula	Formulations for the nutrition of infants that are substituted for BREAST MILK.	Baby Formula,Baby Formulas,Formula, Baby,Formula, Infant,Formulas, Baby,Formulas, Infant,Infant Formulas
D021241	Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization	A mass spectrometry technique used for analysis of nonvolatile compounds such as proteins and macromolecules. The technique involves preparing electrically charged droplets from analyte molecules dissolved in solvent. The electrically charged droplets enter a vacuum chamber where the solvent is evaporated. Evaporation of solvent reduces the droplet size, thereby increasing the coulombic repulsion within the droplet. As the charged droplets get smaller, the excess charge within them causes them to disintegrate and release analyte molecules. The volatilized analyte molecules are then analyzed by mass spectrometry.	ESI Mass Spectrometry,Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry,Mass Spectrometry, ESI,Spectrometry, ESI Mass