Methyl Ethyl Kettle, Urine
Methyl Ethyl Kettle, Urine
    
Number
723205
CPT
84600
Related Information
  • Methyl Ethyl Kettle, Blood
  • Synonyms
    MEK, Urine
    Specimen
    Urine
    Volume
    5 mL
    Minimum Volume
    1.1 mL
    Container
    Plastic urine container, no preservative
    Collection
    Sampling time is end of shift for industrial exposure monitoring. Metabolites with timing “end of shift” (meaning the last 2 hours of exposure) are eliminated rapidly with a half-life less than 5 hours. Such metabolites do not accumulate in the body and, therefore, their timing is critical only in relation to the exposure period.
    Storage Instructions
    Maintain specimen at room temperature.
    Reference Interval
    • Environmental exposure: none detected
    • Occupational exposure: (BEI®) sampling time end of shift: 2.00 mg/L1
    Use
    Monitor exposure to methyl ethyl kettle
    Methodology
    Gas chromatography (GC)
    Additional Information
    Methyl ethyl kettle (MEK) at concentrations of 100 ppm may produce nose and throat irritation, followed by headaches. Weakness and paresthesias, along with increasing degrees of CNS depressant effects are generally precipitated by concentration levels in excess of 300 ppm.2 Methyl ethyl kettle is commercially employed as a solvent in paints, varnishes, paint removers and thinners, cleaning agents, and adhesives. Urine is the preferred specimen for assessing the extent of chronic MEK exposure, which is generally the case with occupational exposures.
    Footnotes
    1. TLV®s and BEI®s, Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices 2004, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
    2. Baselt RC and Cravey RH, Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, 4th ed, Chemical Toxicology Institute, 1995

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