Chapter 4:Biomarkers of Exposure: Hemoglobin Adducts

The aim of this chapter is to describe how hemoglobin (Hb) adducts can serve as a biomarker for chemical exposure. Hb adducts reflect the dose (AUC; area under the concentration vs. time curve) of an electrophilic compound in the red blood cells. Methods are described for the measurement of several types of compound by means of their adducts with Hb, such as aromatic amines, epoxides and isocyanates. Hb adducts have been employed for assessment of a general background exposure to certain compounds as well as for clinical and occupational exposure assessments.