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Ortho-toluidine is a carcinogen aromatic amine. It is in part eliminated as unchanged form and its urine determination allows biologic monitoriing of occupational exposure. We propose a new method simple and fast in gas chromatography mass spectrometry. In the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, a company initiated destruction and depollution of an old industrialsite.The GS-MS method permits exposition evaluation of workers employed in demolition of a liquid SO2 plant polluted with ortho-toluidine. This plant has been stopped twenty years ago. These results are compared with results of workers without any exposure in the same company. A 5 mL urine sample spiked with internal standard (ortho-toluidine D9) is extracted with hexane. Derivatisation is achieved with anhydrous pentafluoropropionic acid during 30 min at 60 degrees C. Chromatographic separation is performed on a BPX5MS column (25 m x 0.25 mm, 0.25 microm; SGE). Initial column temperature (60 degrees C) is hold 3 min then is raised to 300 degrees C at 25 degrees C/min. Detection is performed with mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionisation with methane. Acquisition is performed in single ion monitoring. Identification ions are 233 ion (m/z) and 213 ion (m/z) with 233 (m/z) used for quantification. Linearity of the method is verified between 0.1 and 100 microg/L. The limit of detection is 0.02 micro/L. Repeatability and intermediate fidelity are satisfactory (CV9%). For unexposed workers, urinary concentrations of ortho-toluidine ranged between 0.17 microg/L and 2.46 microg/g creatinine. Urinary concentrations for exposed workers ranged between 26.14 and 462.00 microg/g creatinine and after new action of protection between 2.35 et 20.11 microg/g creatinine. This new GC-MS method is specific and sensitive and allows for urinary determination of ortho-toluidine. Results showed that this method is adapted for biomonitoring as much for unexposed workers to this aromatic amine as for exposed workers.

The risks of incidents and accidents--especially systemic ones--complicating topical scabies treatment in infants are reviewed. After a short review concerning insecticides (sulphur, benzyl-benzoate, DDT, Lindane, Crotamiton) and the use of several drugs proposed for infants, the authors insist on the choice of the drug and the therapeutic protocol, that are as important as the drug itself. Directions for use should be strict, in order to avoid automedication and overdosage. There is no study concerning the comparative evaluation of risks and efficacy of each drug.

Trifluralin weakens or destroys polarity in segmentation mitoses of Triturus helveticus Raz. and Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. Previously it inhibits the cytokinesis, by reducing the activity of asters which are necessary to it. It produces chromosome abnormalities, specially involving their condensation, and makes appear discontinuities at prophase. The local thickenings of metaphase chromosomes predominate at heterochromatic regions. The action is stronger in animal than in vegetative half and this difference is highly significant. The stoppage of Amphibian eggs development states the problem of the possible action of trifluralin on the aquatic fauna.