Identification of urinary metabolites of human subjects exposed to o-dichlorobenzene.

o-Dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) has adverse effects on the liver and kidney in animals. It also causes some irritation to the eyes and the upper respiratory system in humans. This study aimed to identify urinary metabolites of human subjects exposed to o-DCB. Urine samples were collected from three male workers exposed to o-DCB and were analyzed using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. 2,3- and 3,4-dichlorophenols and 3,4- and 4,5-dichlorocatechols were detected in all the samples. Some amounts of the four metabolites were presumably present as conjugates, because they increased after heating with hydrochloric acid.