A rapid analytical method for measuring toluene in biological specimens.

A rapid and accurate method for the direct extraction and quantitation of toluene in blood and tissues has been developed. The technique involved extraction with methanol, selective adsorption onto Tenax, and desorption from the Tenax with heat and injection into a gas chromatograph. Measurement of standards indicated values were linear over a range of tissue concentrations of 1-1,734 microgram per gram of sample. The procedure described in this paper is a rapid, accurate method for measuring volatile hydrocarbon solvent in both blood and solid tissues of experimental animals. This technique should be applicable to basic research including animal studies, as well as to clinical cases involving abuse of or industrial exposure to solvents.