Methylhippuric Acid, Urine

Diagnostic Use

Urine methylhippuric acid is the recommended analyte for the biological monitoring of exposure to xylene.

Department

Toxicology

Delphic Registration Code

TOX

Synonyms

Xylene

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

Test Code

4877

Specimen Type

• Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

20

No of Samples Required

1

Additional Specimen Information

A 20 mL random urine sample should be collected into a sterile urine pottle at the end of the working shift. The sample should be sealed, kept on ice and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Minimum Volume (ml)

20

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Frozen

Interpretation

All three methylhippuric isomers are measured in this assay and the result reported as total urinary methylhippuric acid.

Reference Intervals

Test Method

HPLC

Non-Funded Test Cost

$113.08 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4877

Xylene isomers are often present in petroleum hydrocarbon solvents used in paints, lacquers, cleaning agents adhesives and pesticides and as a starting material for the synthesis of organic chemicals. Laboratory exposure occurs in the preparation of tissue samples for histlogical examination. Methylhippuric acid is a urinary metabolite of xylene and therefore can be measured as an indicator of xylene exposure.

Urgent testing by arrangement

Contact Information

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