Cover: The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

German Research Foundation – Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area
(MAK Commission)

ISSN 2509-2383



Die Ermittlung von Nachweis- und Bestimmungsgrenzen im Humanbiomonitoring

Biomonitoring-Methoden, Konzeptionelle Themen

Wolfgang Gries1
Gerhard Scherer2
Michael Bader3
  Thomas Göen4 (Leitung der Arbeitsgruppe „Analysen in biologischem Material“ der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
  Andrea Hartwig5 (Vorsitz der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
  MAK Commission6

1 Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG, CUR-SIT-SER-GS-BLM – Institut für Biomonitoring, Chempark, Geb. Q 18, 51368 Leverkusen, Deutschland
2 ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH, Semmelweisstraße 5, 82152 Planegg, Deutschland
3 BASF SE, Corporate Health Management, Carl-Bosch-Straße 38, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Deutschland
4 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Henkestraße 9–11, 91054 Erlangen, Deutschland
5 Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
6 Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

The working group “Analyses in Biological Materials” of the German Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission) has evaluated six different procedures for the calculation or estimation of the detection and quantitation limits determined in the validation process of biomonitoring methods. Using the example of the biomonitoring parameter 1-hydroxypyrene in urine, the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches are considered, and all procedures are critically evaluated and discussed. In summary, the Commission does not recommend one preferred method for the calculation of detection and quantitation limits, but rather a careful consideration and fit-for-purpose check of the chosen procedure. A thorough documentation of the selected approach and its results is an essential part of a method description.


Keywords

detection limit; limit of detection, LOD, quantitation limit; limit of quantitation, LOQ, reliability criteria, method validation