ALPHA-FLUORO-BETA-ALANINE IN URINE OF WORKERS OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO 5-FLUOROURACIL IN A 5-FLUOROURACIL-PRODUCING FACTORY

Because of possible harmful health effects increased attention is bein g paid to the occupational exposure to cytostatic drugs of workers in hospitals and industry. In this study a biomarker for exposure to 5-fl uorouracil (5FU) based on GC-MSMS was applied to study the occupationa l exposure of four workers in a pharmaceutical factory producing 5FU. The four workers all excreted alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL), a meta bolite of 5FU, via the urine (range excretion rates: 0-88.9 mu g per 8 h). This is in accordance with the presence of 5FU and/or its precurso r ethoxyfluorouracil (EFU) in stationary and personal air samples as w ell as in wipe samples taken from the floor at the workplace.