Quantification of 31 volatile organic compounds in whole blood using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The prevalence of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has raised concern about possible health effects resulting from chronic human exposure. To support studies exploring the relation between VOC exposure and health effects, we developed an automated analytical method using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), capillary gas chromatography (GC), and quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS). This method quantifies trace levels (low parts per trillion) of 14 halogenated alkanes, 5 halogenated alkenes, 10 aromatic compounds, and 2 other VOCs in human blood. Detection limits for the SPME–GC–MS method range from 0.005 to 0.12 μg/L, with linear calibration curves spanning three orders of magnitude. The improved throughput of this method will enable us to expand biomonitoring efforts to assess nonoccupational VOC exposure in large epidemiological studies.