Dietary habits, a non-negligible source of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and possible overestimation of carbon disulfide exposure

2-Thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) is the accepted urinary indicator of occupational exposure to carbon disulfide. This compound was detected in blank urine of individuals unexposed to carbon disulfide during an experimental validation of a new method of determination. Diet was suspected to be the source of TTCA, and particularly the consumption of brassica vegetables. This assumption was confirmed by collection and analysis of urine samples after ingestion of crude cabbage. TTCA was detected at concentrations higher than 2 mg/l in urine, and 3 mg/kg in crude cabbage. The identity of TTCA was confirmed after extraction and separation by capillary electrophoresis, supercritical fluid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The results show that the diet should be considered as a nonnegligible source of the overestimation of carbon disulfide exposure.