National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

“ Samples of urine collected from humans pose a real health risk to laboratory workers who collect and handle these samples. These risks are primarily due to personal contact with infective biological samples and can have serious health consequences, such as infectious hepatitis, and other diseases. There is also some risk from the chemical content of these samples, but this is much less. Those who handle urine specimens should wear protective gloves, and avoid aerosolization of the samples. ”

“ It must be emphasized that laboratories should establish their own normal ranges using urine specimens from personnel not exposed to benzene, phenol, p-cresol or excessive amounts of dietary sodium benzoate (used as a preservative in some foods) . ”

“ Diethyl ether and methanol are fire risks. Phenol, p-cresol, methanol and nitrobenzene are toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. Hydrochloric acid and perchloric acid can damage the skin. Wear gloves and eye protection. Work in a fume hood. Handle perchloric acid only in a perchloric acid hood.
SAMPLING: 1. Collect 50 to 100 mL urine in a 125-mL polyethylene bottle containing a few crystals of thymol. NOTE: Collect two urine samples for each worker, one prior to exposure and one after exposure. Also, collect and pool control urine samples from unexposed workers. ”