• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.339-346
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• 2014

The author assessed the availability of urine reference material for proficiency test provided for laboratories in occupational health. N-methylacetamide is the biomarker of exposure to N,N-dimethyl acetamide, which was used as the substitute for hepatotoxic N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). N-methylacetamide (NMAC) urine samples of 3 different levels covering the 0.2~2 times of the exposure limit were tested. Stability test up to 180 days (0, 7, 30, 60, 180 days) at 4 different temperatures (-60, -20, 5, $25^{\circ}C$) and homogeneity test were performed for these samples. New analytical condition by GC/MSD using SIM mode (m/z 58, 59) and DB-624 column was investigated for better selectivity, sensitivity and resolution. Urinary NMAC samples showed good homogeneity for 3 levels. These samples also showed good stability up to 180 days. The data of stability and homogeneity of urinary DMAC confirmed the basis of including this item into Korean proficiency test for occupational health laboratories since 2008.