Human urinary excretion of the herbicide 2-methyl-4-chloropheno xyacetic acid.

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Abstract
To see if urinary 2-methyl-4-chlorphennoxyacetic acid (MCPA) excretion could be used to estimate MCPA exposure, 4 healthy males ingested 5 mg MCPA. The MCPA in the urine was extracted and analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography. About 50% of the ingested dose was detected in the urine within 48 h. On the 5th day after intake the MCPA concentration in the urine was below the level of detection, 0.2 .mu.g/ml. The MCPA did not increase those serum enzymes indicating liver cell damage (S-alanine-aminotransferase, S-alkaline-phosphate). Some creatine kinase (CK) and S-aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT) values were pathological, but as all CK values were normal in 2 persons and all ASAT values were normal in 3 persons, it is not likely that MCPA had a toxic effect on muscle cells. MCPA in urine seems to be a useful indicator of MCPA intake in humans. All the urine passed within 48 h of MCPA exposure must be collected.