Photometric determination of human serum bromide levels - a convenient biomonitoring parameter for methyl bromide exposure

Methyl bromide is one of the most important pesticides for the control of i nsects, fungi and nematodes. Serum bromide has been proposed as a biomonito r for occupational exposure to methyl bromide. Therefore, a novel, sensitiv e photometric method was developed for the determination of serum bromide a t concentrations relevant for such exposure. Further possible applications are monitoring of intoxication victims and halothane narcosis. Using the me thod we have established a mean serum bromide level of 4.13 +/- S.D. 1.05 m g/l (n/64) in a group of healthy female and male volunteers not knowingly e xposed to bromide or bromine containing organics. Serum of a subject accide ntly exposed to methyl bromide revealed a bromide level of 11.5 mg/l serum, while two individuals exposed to methyl iodide had no elevated levels. A g roup of 30 agricultural workers showed a mean serum bromide level of 15.33 +/- S.D. 1.90 mg/l at the end of the methyl bromide application season. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.