Detection of prenatal exposure to several classes of environmental toxicants and their metabolites by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in maternal and umbilical cord blood

We developed a sensitive method to detect several classes of pesticides and their metabolites in maternal and cord whole blood using electron-impact gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The method can detect parent and metabolite compounds at levels of <0.10 and 0.20 μg/mL, respectively, with high accuracy and recovery. Analysis of blood from mother–infant dyads from an area of high pesticide use in the Philippines showed detectable levels of propoxur, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE) in maternal and umbilical cord blood. GC–MS analysis of several classes of parent pesticides and their metabolites in maternal and cord blood provides a sensitive and specific method to detect pesticide exposure during pregnancy.